1B4 
The Australasian Book of Poultry. 
originally imported ; while, on the other hand, the Langshan, if left alone by unscientific breeders, will 
produce typical stock continuously. The mere fact that in its native home it is often clean-legged, to my 
mind in no way stamps it uncertain in its main points, because it is proved that the bare-legged birds 
produce a good percentage of progeny well feathered on the leg. How is it that the Langshan, alone of the 
Asiatics, has fine bone and ivhite flesh ? The Cochins were yellow skinned and fleshed. This is a point 
worthy of notice. It is easy to breed crossed birds with yelloiv skins, but extremely difficult to breed out the 
yellow afterwards. It is asserted that the yellow skin and flesh of other Asiatic Fowls point to a tropical 
bird, the white skin and flesh of the Langshan to a bird common to the temperate, or even cold, climate of 
Northern China. The prominent breast of the Langshan has been commented on even by Mr. Lewis 
Wright as a distinct and marked difference from the Cochin ; in fact, in his latest edition he seems to have a 
glimmering of what I am hinting at. The great prepotency and vitality of the Langshan have been well 
observed, inasmuch as they stamp its individuality in the progeny of any cross for several generations. Miss 
Croad, replying to a letter from Mr. Cook in 1893, says : — ' No one who knows anything about the Langshan 
could ever have suggested that it came from Shanghai. Those who know anything about the matter tell us 
that, when the birds are brought down from the Langshan district they often get mixed up through the 
carelessness of the Chinese 'boys.' A Langshan correspondent of mine, and an ardent admirer of the breed, 
sent a copy of my book to Mr. Richard Kele, who had been an old resident in China, and was, I believe, the 
introducer of the Pekin Duck into this country. This gentleman corrected an error into which I had fallen. 
He pointed out that the Langshan, as a breed, was confined exclusively to the Langshan district, and not 
widespread as I had supposed, and he named the date 1862 as the exact time of the introduction of the 
Langshan to the European community in North China.' 
"In treating of the merits of this grand breed of Poultry, I do not feel called upon to make more than 
passing reference to the controversy which [raged in England, ' Langshans versus Orpingtons.' I do not 
admit, nor do those who are more competent to pronounce judgment, that the Orpington in any way rivals 
the Langshan, any more than does the Plymouth Rock. I have a conservative feeling, due to the strong 
Fancier's instinct in me, greatly towards/«;^ breeds as distinct from breeds. I admire Brahmas, Plymouth 
Rocks, Modern Game, etc. ; but I look upon them as parvenus., as trading on the combined merits of other 
breeds. The Orpington, I think, can, however, claim to have the blood of more breeds in its composition 
than any other made breed. He has two pure strains, the Langshan and the Minorca, arid, in addition, the 
benefit of the several breeds composing the Plymouth Rock. In spite of this, the Langshan type and good 
qualities- swallow and annihilate the others to a great extent, and make the Orpington what it is — a reflection 
of the Langshan. I do not, however, wish to cast a slur on these excellent varieties. 
" For crossing, the Langshan is a most valuable Fowl. For one reason, it takes the place of the more 
delicate Dorking to a large extent ; the main one, to my mind, that the hens are as large in frame, and better 
layers. The size of the progeny depends on the hen. I am satisfied on this point, and have recently read 
the expressed opinions of Messrs. Harrison Weir, and Tegetmeier in support ; therefore, the old English 
Game Cock, which is a small fowl, crossed with Langshan hens, will produce a fine-sized table bird of 
excellent quality, and very hardy and quick growing ; and as the hens are good layers, especially in Autumn 
and Winter, the majority of the chickens can be hatched so as to mature, and be shipped to London when 
prices rule highest. Of course, this also applies to all other crosses with this famous breed. I would 
suggest another cross which I have often thought of, and one, I believe, would prove of exceptional value, 
both as first and second crosses — viz , the Houdan cock and Langshan hen. The progeny would, probably, 
resemble Creve Coeurs in the main, but should be m,ost shapely, and fine in texture of flesh. I believe the 
hens of this cross would suit admirably to mate with Indian Game cocks, and no doubt some of the cockerels 
would be of value also for crossing. As regards the Indian Game and Langshan cross, or vice versa, I have 
on other occasions predicted that they will be one of the most popular and profitable of all the crosses. 
They will find great favour in the English market, and will probably pay as well, if not better, than any 
other. This is now well proved. I am not going into the question of cross-breeding, but the pointing out 
