"Langshans.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 1 July 1890, Page 2

"Langshans.

TO THK BDITOB OF THE MANAWATO If KKAI.Ii. Sik, — May I ask you to call the attention of your numerous readers and others to this noble breed of fowls ; although we see from time to time short paragraphs illustrating their many valuable properties, and mentioning their present popularity, the know--1 ledge we gain of them is in scattered bits instead of being classed as a whole. Being well aware how easy it is to say this bread ii the best— and that breed is the best whichever suits our purpose— your readers require to know a little more before they obtain a new breed. I am, therefore, to the best of my ability, going to first give you a short history of them, and secondly, their capabilities. The LftOßshan. wa »re told, was imported from North China, in the year 1871, «o that it is a comparatltily new hrted, Many

riod to make out, for some time, that it was nothing but a relative of the Black Cochin, but now I believe it is an established fact that it is entirely an original variety. It is a breed that has obtained a very strong hold in parts of this country ; and everyone I know who has once tried it say that it is the best fowl they ever had to do with, and have never been without eggs in winter sine*— in fact, its qualities are unsurpassed ; and, it poisessos a greater number of good profitable points than any other treed. Firstly —It is a splendid layer, especially in winter when all other breeds ars dormant. I hay« one hen t"r n t I had particular reaion to notice, I hau turned her out of the breeding-pen ; she was running with the rest of the fowls, and had been laying for some time when I found I required some more eggs for settings, I caught her and put her in the pen with a young cockerel, expecting to get about Bix eggs and then she would sit ; she laid me thirtysix eggs with only two misses, after this I liberated her again, and she continued laying for some time : I calculated she must, therefore, have laid me tonsiderably over fifty «ggs at one stretch. Secondly — They are grand table birds, with delicate white flesh and of fine flavour ; and, I have killed them for the table weighing from 71bs to 81ba at four months old. One lady I sold some birds to said, " I have to kill, of my present breed, five or six for a meal for tha family, whereas from two or three of those I got from you make a good meal." Thirdly — They are grand mothers, although said to be the connecting link between the sitters and non-sitters, bat when they do sit they do. To finish with, I might say they are very hardy and docile ; here, I think, we have all that could be had — in fact, they are both the "Farmer's and Family Fowl." These bird* are good foragers, and during the summer mouths will, with freedom to wander at large, completely get their own living, and lay better than other breeds if fed. I hope, in these few lines, I shall benefit somebody by encouraging them to test tha "Langbhan," which they can do by referring to your advertising columns ; and thanking you, Mr Editor, for inserting th» above. I remain, Youra, Ac., B. L. ELLIS.