1879 .] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
4=6 9 
The Langshan Fowls. 
The introduction of the Langshan breed of fowls 
into England, several years ago, was marked by the 
publication of their portraits in an English journal, 
a picture which was, in due time, reproduced in our 
own columns. Though the article published with 
the engraving plainly indicated that our description 
of these birds was derived solely from English 
sources, we received scores of letters asking where 
the birds could be had, some even asking the price 
of “your (our) Langshans,” and even at the pres*- 
ent time wc now and then 
receive similar letters. 
Though our experience 
in this matter was some¬ 
what unprofitable in the 
trouble it gave to reply 
to inquiries, still it was in¬ 
teresting. While we were 
aware of the interest in 
poultry raising, we had 
before no idea of the avidi¬ 
ty with which everyprom- 
ising novelty was seized, 
and of the wide extent to 
which this interest prevail¬ 
ed. The Langshans have 
at length been brought to 
this country, and in view 
of the interest our former 
notice and English pic¬ 
ture of them excited, we 
give an engraving of a 
pair as they appear in the 
yards of Messrs. Benson, 
Maule& Co.,Philadelphia. 
These birds are black, with 
a strong “beetle-green” 
reflection, and their legs 
slate color, with pink be¬ 
tween the toes. Their 
nearest relatives, in ap- 
pearance,are the Black Co¬ 
chins, but the Langshans 
have a more erect car¬ 
riage, larger combs, and 
tails more feathered than 
in that breed, and they 
come from a locality 1,000 
miles further north. Being 
from the extreme north¬ 
ern portion of China, it 
was expected that they 
would prove remarkably hardy, and English experi¬ 
ence has shown this to be the case. Extreme hard¬ 
iness, large size, and rapid growth, are claimed for 
them, while their flesh is said to be unsurpassed in 
quality. They are less inclined to sit than other 
Asiatic breeds, and are prolific winter layers. We 
are glad that this breed has been introduced, and 
is now to be procured by our poultry raisers ; if in 
this country they sustain, as they promise to do, 
the claim made for them in England, they will 
prove a valuable addition to our choice breeds. 
Among the Farmers,—No. 46. 
BY ONE OF THEM. 
I write this just in the midst of fair time—the 
Farmer’s Holiday—if he has one in the whole course 
of the year. I have attended two State Fairs, be¬ 
sides one in the county, and of course have my 
notions. Two States lie contiguous, one is large, 
the other is small. The larger State held its fair 
first. The old and honored Agricultural Society is 
managed by farmers, “ Gentlemen Farmers” if you 
please, but they are good farmers. Its President 
is a farmer, its Secretary a farmer, and in its long 
iist of Vice-Presidents, I observe the names of farm¬ 
ers only. It is chartered for the benefit of farmers, 
and holds its fairs in the midst of agricultural sec¬ 
tions, where converging railroad lines and facilities 
for travel make it convenient to assemble, and 
masses of people can be accommodated. Liberal 
prizes are ottered and awarded most conscientiously 
year after year. The greatest effort on the part of 
the officers and attendants is put forth to secure 
the safety of goods, and live stock, their fair-dis¬ 
play, and free return to their exhibitors. Prizes 
are ottered only for articles legitimately connected 
with the Farm, Garden, and Household. There is 
no horse racing; there are no trials of speed, 
which of themselves determine the award of prizes. 
In all things, the producer’s interests have prece¬ 
dence. The prizes are paid, whether the weather 
be favorable or not, whether the Society reap a har¬ 
vest of half-dollars, which makes it independent, 
or meets with such bad weather, or “ill luck,” as 
to be obliged to fall back upon its friends, to make 
good deficiencies. The services of the best judges ob¬ 
tainable are secured long beforehand ; their expen¬ 
ses are paid, and their stay made agreeable to them. 
One would think that the farmers of a State, 
supporting a Society like this, would meet 
the opportunity heartily; would gather in thou 
sands upon its show grounds, bringing their 
wives and their children, and if they do not com¬ 
pete in friendly rivalry for the prizes, that they 
would certainly not miss the opportunity offered to 
see new implements, improved stock, and farm pro¬ 
ducts, which others deem worthy of competition. 
The weather was superb, the most comfortable 
and cheap conveyances to and from the grounds, 
a large and thrifty town at the gates, and several 
others within a few hours’ journey, with railroads 
penetrating rich farming and dairy districts in every 
direction. Yet not more than 10,000 people came 
at any one day, to the fair, and the fanners and the 
dairy folks were conspicuously absent. The So¬ 
ciety barely taking in money enough to pay its 
expenses and prizes, if even it did so well as that. 
It is often flung in my face as a farmer, and one 
earnest for the elevation of our agriculture—that 
farmers are not worth working for—that they are 
good to make money out of—that they have not the 
pluck of other craftsmen, to help themselves, but 
need protection in various ways, and are the prey 
of the crafty and the dupes of politicians. This is 
sweeping, but has a basis of truth, and when made 
on the fair-ground, I found it difficult, as I saw the 
scattered attendance—the few in place of many— 
to meet it with an indignant and truthful denial. 
It seems there is some rivalry and petty feeling 
between two Dairymen’s Societies, both having their 
headquarters in this very section where the fair was 
held, and as a result of this rivalry, the dairy peo¬ 
ple held aloof from the State Agricultural Society. 
A clearer case of “ biting off one’s own nose,” can 
hardly bo imagined than was furnished here. 
The other State Fair is managed by a Trotting- 
Park Association, near two large and thriving 
manufacturing towns. It is only called a “ State 
Fair ” by courtesy, and because the State entrusts 
the Association with the awarding of a few thou¬ 
sand dollars in prizes. It is a purely money mak¬ 
ing operation — a great 
show. Each day after the 
goods have arrived, and 
are placed, and the cattle 
and horses accommo¬ 
dated, which takes two 
days, there is something 
to see. Horse racing, 
moiuntebank, and side 
shows of all kinds within 
the grounds, every sort of 
trap for pennies, is run¬ 
ning or set, all the time. 
An orderly crowd, beauti¬ 
ful horses, excellent cattle 
of all kinds, and acres of 
implements in -‘the open 
field. Judges are invited 
beforehand, politely treat¬ 
ed, and given tickets to 
dinner in the “ Director/S 
dinner teDt.” The sum 
total Of prizes offered is 
liberal. Prizes are offered 
and awarded to “ Dur- 
hams,”and “ Alderneys,” 
because neither the of¬ 
ficers nor the judges know 
any better. The exhibit¬ 
ors, some of them at least, 
are thoroughly informed, 
and have as fine animals 
of both “Shorthorn ” and 
“Jersey” breeds, as one 
often sees. It seemed to 
be a real piece of good 
luck if the best animal got 
the prize over an inferior 
one in several classes, and 
yet exhibitors submitted 
to their fate at the hands 
of “judges” who were 
“ down on pedigrees,” with commendable patience. 
Now, as to the attendance—30,000 people were 
admitted on the principal day ; 20,000 the day be¬ 
fore, and 10,000 the day after—this, in round num¬ 
bers. More than half seemed to be farmers. They 
did not come on account of any real or fancied ben¬ 
efit they might get. Very few studied the imple¬ 
ments, or the cattle, they gaped with wonder at the 
asserted weight of the fat hog, to be seen for 10 ets., 
but few went to see. They watched the horse-trots, 
and the “ bicycle tournament,” and the merry-go- 
round, and had a good time, and will come again 
next year. They “ did not see any thing very new 
among the tools,” because they did not look, and 
they walked by three or four Jersey cows, which 
cost their owner $1,000 to $1,500 apiece, as if 
they were inferior to those that grazed in their own 
pastures. Yet they came, and spent their money, 
and absorbed a. great deal that will do them good. 
It will do the boys and girls good too. It will cer¬ 
tainly do more good than the great well managed 
Fair will do the farmers of the section where it was 
held, and -who did not turn out to attend it. 
1 must say I believe in getting the farmers, and 
other folks too, out to the Fairs. If they will not 
come to the sober matter-of-fact strictly agricul¬ 
tural show, let us give them something that will 
draw. A few horse-trots, side-shows, and even a 
rope-dancer, are harmless. They help make “ a 
good time” for those who come for that purpose, 
and the thrifty business view is, that very few things 
are evil which bring in the half-dollars. I don’t 
subscribe to that sentiment, hut we know what is 
the healing plaster for “ the hurt that honor feels.” 
A PAIR OP LANGSHAN FOWLS. 
