POULTRY SCRATCHINGS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 366, 8 May 1889, Page 4

POULTRY SCRATCHINGS.

Lanushans as Winter Layeks. — Lang-, shans are rematkably good layers in winter. During the past; fall and winter, which were remarkably unfavourable for eggproduction in our section (says the American Poultry Bulletin), a flock of Langshans kept by a neighbour laid ten eggs, whare other flocks laid but one. This proves their hardiness and laying propensity, as they were kept in exactly similar conditions as the other flocks, comprising Leghorns and Plymouth Rocks. As to the difference in Langshans bred in different localities, we hardly believe that soil and climate influence the quality of the meat. Feeding determines that, no matter whether the birds are raised in Maine or in Ohio. If poultry cares become drudgery, better give them up at once, for as soon as it becomes distasteful, iust as soon you will begin to neglect them, and your fowls suffer accordingly. A poultry keeper must take an interest in what he is doing if he wants to make it a profitable and pleasant occupation. Buojszii Turkeys — Mr Jesse King, of King, Walker, and Co., of Auckland, informs us that five fine young gobblers and three hens of this bieed of turkeys have been reared the past season from his imported birds, on Mr Cloude's farm at Papatoitoi. He says they bid fair to rival the old birds, and they will probably be on show at the Auckland exhibition this winter. For the benefit of readers who do nob know these turkeys w© quote the following description from the pen of Mr Knty, of poultry notoriety in America :— " Genuine bronze turkeys have no yellow about them. At a distance they present a dark appearance, the wing secondaries alone presentine a black and grey barred appearance. The tail feathers are also barred in the samlmanner, but being covered by the taig coverts to a large extent do not look as light as they really are. The body of plumage should present the appearance ot black, heavily blued and bronzed, and in the sunlight is very changeable, almost rivalling the rainbow in brilliancy of sheen. It is difficult to give a correct iden of their appearance either by pen or brush, as a very poor conception* of a living, strutting male of this breed of turkeys will be obtained."