BLACK CHINA FOWLS. 95 



impeachable. What the weight of the male member of the originally 

 imported pair was, I cannot state; but, at ten months old, the produce 

 above specified, weighed the heaviest of the six twelve ana a half 

 pounds; the others were little inferior to him in weight. Their 

 plumage was uniform with their parentage a distinction that has 

 been kept up by every brood hatched from the same stock. I speak 

 within the mark, when I say, that the males of this breed, one year 

 old, will weigh from nine to ten pounds each, and the hens from seven 

 to eight pounds. The hen originally imported, a few weeks ago 

 weighed twelve and a half pounds, and is, perhaps, the weightiest 

 fowl of her class in the Union. The Black China fowls are excellent 

 layers, as I have very good reason to know. The old hen referred to, 

 laid 163 eggs in 169 days, and her being kept separate from all others 

 during that period, and laying apart, left me no room to question the 

 number of eggs produced. 



In every respect, whether for laying properties, or as a table fowl, 

 I know of no description more eligible than the Black Chinas. They 

 are hardy and healthy in this northern latitude, and I have no doubt 

 would attain to a much greater weight under a more mild climate, 

 south or west. In productive qualities, the Black Chinas, could not 

 improve anywhere, south or west, so as to eclipse their reputation here. 



The cut 1 send you, (that at the head of this article,) is a very good 

 representation of my fowls, and illustrates their proportions in a very 

 correct manner. 



I am yours, <fec., 



A. WHITE. 



East Randolph, Mass., 13th Dec., 1852. 



Mr. "White gives us a pretty good account of his fowls in 

 regard to weight and laying qualities, which cannot be true of 

 the breed generally ; yet I have no reason to doubt his word in 

 his own particular case. What the difference is between the 

 " Black China " fowls, and the black Shanghaes, I am unable 

 to understand. Both are from China, and should go by one 

 and the same name. I am decidedly opposed to a useless 

 multiplication of names, when there is no good reason for them, 

 and the public should set their faces against such things ; if 

 not, every new importation, and every new cross, will be dubbed 

 a new name, till we shall have become bewildered with the 

 endless varieties that will be introduced. The following is from 

 D. P. Newell, Esq., of Rochester, who gives this breed the name 

 of " 



" The Cantons were imported from China, and are a large, glossy, 

 black fowl, lively and spirited in appearance, with short legs, and 

 large, plump bodies. They were much admired at the late State Fair 

 at Utica, and they are a great acquisition to a poultry yard. For 

 laying, they will compare favorably with any other fowl that I ever 

 kept. They lay a large white egg, much larger than the eggs of Co- 



