SHANGHAE FOWLS. 53 



eight pounds. They were from the Marsh stock, of which mention 

 has already been made.' 



" The Boston Traveler says ' They are among the largest and finest 

 fowls in the country, and are considered as one of the best importa- 

 tions ever made. They are unsurpassed as layers, and very fine 

 fleshed.' 



"Dr. Thomas Gailard, of Claiborne, Alabama, in a letter dated 

 Sept. 23d, 1850, in speaking of these fowls, observes: 'You will 

 inquire whether my expectations have been realized. I answer, 

 entirely so. The Imperial Chinese are the most splendid fowls I ever 

 * beheld ; and, although my anticipations were somewhat extravagant, 

 they surpass the standard of excellence I have assigned to them. All 

 who have seen them, concur in this estimate of their qualities. I 

 have been already offered for a pair of chickens, when old enough to 

 be taken from the mother, the cost to me of the parents, $15 a pair, 

 besides the freight.' " 



On sending me the specimens of " Imperial Chinese," Mr. 

 Plaisted remarks : 



" The hen is one of my best specimens, for I want you to have the 

 best stock in the country. She is in a heavy moult now, but when in 

 feather is a splendid hen, and precisely the color and marks of the 

 old imported hen that Mr. Marsh speaks of in his description, that 

 laid 135 eggs in 147 days. I have one hen that weighs nine pounds, 

 and the same color as yours. I would not part with her at any price. 

 I have refused $15 for her, several times," 



Geo. A. Smith, Esq., of Georgia, writes to Dr. Bennett as 

 follows : 



"The first pair of Imperial Chinese fowls I bought from you for my 

 friend, Mr. A. B. Ross, have proved themselves to be a trump. At the 

 time of our fair, in 1851, before the pullet was a year old, she had 

 laid 120 eggs. Twenty -five of the chickens were on the ground, and 

 were sold to one man for $125. He retailed them out for $180. From 

 the 15th of January to the 15th of October, she laid 215 eggs. There 

 was sent to the fair 66 chickens, of various sizes, that sold for $240, 

 besides several pairs that were given away. They are among the 

 finest fowls that I know of. They are large, and very hardy." 



James McClintock, M. D., Professor in the Philadelphia 

 College of Medicine, and who has a very extensive assortment 

 of poultry, at his country residence in Bustleton, has recently 

 imported from England some splendid specimens of " Imperial 

 Chinese " fowls, known there (England,) as " Partridge-col- 

 ored Cochin Chinas." I am assured by both Dr. Bennett and 

 Dr. McClintock, that the foregoing descriptions may truly apply 

 to this importation, as regards all the characteristics furnished 

 by Dr. B. This indicates that these fowls are not a cross, as 

 Dr. McClintock's importation are said to be a pure breed. I 



