LA.NGS11A.NS. 145 



Jittle (luff, a full and prominent breast, and a rather agile than 

 lumpy outline. The aim should be to preserve a close and hard 

 and glossy, rather than soft and downy plumage, which latter is 

 always accompanied by a coarser skin. Thus, in the Langshan 

 lias been added to our list of breeds a fresh and hardy branch 

 of the same great race, which may be bred to a better model 

 in every table point, as well as being white in skin, as black 

 fowls naturally are. So long as the chief points of utility are 

 studied, it is to be hoped others may not be too rigidly defined. 

 It is much to be regretted that some Langshan advocates, and 

 professed Langshan judges, have on their side given preference 

 to a gawky, weedy style of bird, which can only hinder 

 every desirable object, and in its way is as misguided as the 

 breastless ideal of the early Cochin breeders. We hope, 

 however, that better judgment will in the end prevail ; other- 

 wise the result must be, as it was with the early Cochins, to 

 spoil for table purposes what might have been a good fowl. 



The merits of Cochins have already been hinted at The 

 chickens, though they feather slowly, are hardier than most 

 other breeds, and will thrive where others would perish ; they 

 grow fast, and may be killed when twelve weeks old. The 

 fowls will do well in very confined spaces, are very tame and 

 easily domesticated, and seldom quarrel They cannot fly, and 

 a fence two feet high will effectually keep them within bounds. 

 As sitters and mothers the hens are unsurpassed ; though they 

 are. unless cooped, apt to leave their chickens and lay again 

 too soon for very early broods. Lastly, they are prolific layers, 

 especially in winter, when eggs are most scarce. 



Their defects are equally marked. The flesh is inferior to 

 that of other breeds, though tolerably good when eaten young ; 

 there is, however, always a great absence of breast, which 

 excludes the fowl from the market, and confines it to the 

 family table. The leg, which contains most meat, is, however, 

 providentially not so tough as in other breeds. The want of 



