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Chapter XXI. 
LANGSHANS. 
This breed of Poultry is one of decidedly marked characteristics, and, probably, no other variety has called 
forth more heated argument and controversy on its purity than the Langshan. The Fowl is, without doubt, one 
of great merit, though its detractors would have it otherwise. On all sides we have been informed by those 
who have had practical experience with the breed, that as an all-round general purpose Fowl the Langshan 
stands pre-eminent, and we cannot do better than give our readers the expressions of prominent breeders and 
admirers of the variety. Separated widely apart as our contributors are, and in different Colonies, with 
climatic surroundings widely distinct, all agree in stating that the economic qualities of the Langshan Fowl 
are of the highest order. 
To Mr. W. H. McKeown, of Roseville, Gordon, N.S.W., who is recognised as one of the oldest, if 
not the oldest, living admirer and exhibitor of the breed in this Colony, we are indebted for the following 
remarks. Mr. McKeown's success as a breeder of this excellent all-round Fowl has been conclusively proved 
in the Show-pen, birds from his yard being invincible for many years. Mr. McKeown states 
" That Langshans were introduced into the district of Gordon about 20 years ago, by Captain Craig, 
who brought them from China. They were small birds, and laid a much smaller egg than those of later or 
present times. A very great improvement in the breed was seen in some importations from San Francisco, 
California, by Mr. Cummings, of Bondi, N.S.W., who was the first to exhibit Langshans in Sydney. These 
birds made the debut in the ' New Variety ' Class. I bought all of the China strain I could get in the 
district ; and later, when Mr. Cummings was leaving the colony, bought up his entire stock of the breed. 
My first importation was from San Francisco, California. They were a short-legged and loose-feathered lot. 
Thinking new and improved blood necessary, I sent to Chicago, U.S.A., and obtained a cock and two hens 
of the ' Paragon ' strain. For these birds the railway charges from Chicago to San Francisco amounted to 
fifteen dollars. The birds arrived in very poor condition, but recovered quickly, and proved a very 
satisfactory investment, as I was enabled to take and hold a leading position as a breeder of Langshans for 
many years. Later, I obtained two lots of birds from England at stiff figures, but they were very 
disappointing. For Show purposes and for egg-production they were decidedly inferior to my American 
importations. 
I cannot speak too highly of the Langshan. In egg-production I have had hens beginning to lay in 
May, averaging five eggs per hen per week for six months without a break. No other breed that I know (and 
I have tried neariy every one) can come up to them in weight of eggs for the season. The eggs are rich in 
colour and flavour, for the table they are first-rate, both in quality and quantity. I know no better general 
purpose Fowl. The chickens are hardy, and easily reared, and I find no difficulty in rearing 95 per cent, of 
the chickens hatched. 
From the conservatism of age, and a strong attachment to what has been proved useful, I have been 
slow to accept the ' new ' or ' improved ' (as it is called) Standard for Langshans. These are longer in leg 
and closer feathered than the old stamp of bird. Certainly, they deliver us from the old ' Black Cochin ' 
controversy. Still, as one must move with the times, I have made purchases of many birds of modern style, 
amongst them some prize winners of 'Andrews' and 'Sichlaus' strains. With these I have had a most successful 
breeding season, as may be seen by yards tuU of very promising chickens. I have mentioned the good 
qualities of the Langshan. I have, however, one fault to find with them— that is, the slow and tardy 
maturing of the cockerels. They mature more slowly than any other breed, but make up for it in the end, 
and at seven or eight months old they are as large as young turkeys in size, and quite equal in flavour." 
