15S THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN’S COMPANION, December 2, 1856. 
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Probably, however, I should not stand alone in the 
opinion that as good Shanghaes were found in the early 
Poultry Shows as appear at the present day; but then, be 
it remembered, the winners in this class commonly distanced 
their competitors, as far as, at a subsequent period, some 
few Spanish and Dorking pens did theirs. The difference 
is in the class, where few persons are now seen to exhibit 
faulty specimens, the prolific nature of the breed, and the 
popular favour with which its introduction was greeted, 
having dispersed them throughout the length and breadth 
of the land. 
Improvement, I apprehend, is here most distinctly shown 
in symmetry of form, mere weight having been most wisely 
deposed to its proper value. Colour, for which so much 
was once sacrificed, receives the license to which all fowls 
not being what is technically called “ birds of feather’’ are 
certainly entitled. Provided, therefore, the plumage is good 
of its kind, a shade lighter or darker in the several varieties 
is no very serious matter; but then it must fulfil certain 
conditions. Buff birds with white or dark feathers are no 
more admissible than the brown with buff; a mottled ap¬ 
pearance, indeed, is always objectionable. 
Of Shanglmes collectively I still think that the best 
examples of the breed must be taken from the Buff class. 
“ Cinnamons” are comparatively scarce, and their merit is 
probably in a similar proportion. Of “ Blacks ” I cannot 
recall a single first rate pen ; while the “White” have had 
a greater admixture of good, bad, and indifferent than any 
of the others. “ Greys ” (for, as the term “ Brahma Pootra ” 
is held to signify distinctness of breed, I continue unwilling 
to employ it), are constantly shown of great merit in all the 
characteristics of the Shanghae race. Why or wherefore it 
is still so strongly asserted that they are to stand apart, I 
am certainly at a loss to understand. 
I have endeavoured, without partiality on either side, to 
recognise their distinctive features or properties; but the 
result tends only to coufirm the impressions that I origin¬ 
ally formed. They are Shanghaes by every mark and 
token that can be employed in the investigation. The 
Brown and Partridge birds most deservedly stand high in 
any comparison with others of their family. The type of the 
breed is eminently well displayed in a large majority of 
these birds, and, so far as my own experience goes, they are 
generally not less distinguished for their beauty of plumage 
than for their merit as layers. Of all that I have ever kept 
(and all have had their trial), none have given more satis¬ 
factory results than these. 
No fowls have ever been submitted to closer discussion 
respecting their value in an economical point of view than 
Shanghaes; but much misapprehension has arisen from 
forgetfulness of the circumstance that different strains, and 
even different birds of the same strain, unquestionably vary 
in the points that would thus be brought under investigation. 
This is especially the case with regard to their laying pro¬ 
perties. Some are much more given to incubation than 
others, and this under the same system of management, 
irrespective of their keep and locality. 
“ They have had their day, and been found wanting,” is by 
no means an unfrequent remark, but one in which I cannot 
coincide, where at least reasonable anticipations had been 
previously entertained. By the latter expression I allude 
to the recommendations they appear to possess to those 
who, without rushing into the extravagant expectations that 
novelty, fashion, and high prices for a time encourage, 
looked at them as a fowl that was likely to give good returns 
for certain purposes, and under certain conditions, especially 
where other poultry were neither likely to thrive, nor could 
be kept without inconvenience, from their propensity to 
stray beyond allotted limits. This qualification being under¬ 
stood, what was urged in their favour on these grounds has 
been borne out by subsequent experience. 
For the last two years my own poultry-yard has been 
mainly given to experiments in cross breeding, chiefly, how¬ 
ever, between Coloured Dorkings and Grey Shanghaes. The 
result has been eminently successful in the production of a 
good table fowl at a very early age. At first the hens were 
Dorking and the sire Shanghae; but the error was soon 
manifest, as the male of the latter was clearly wanting in 
the form that would constitute a point of merit in his pro¬ 
duce. With a Dorking cock, however, and Grey Shanghae 
hens, the result has been most satisfactory. In many of 
the chickens, so long as they lived (for their existence, of i 
course, was doomed to an early close), plumage and form so j 
closely assimilated {to the male parent as to justify suspi¬ 
cions that I have sometimes felt, that Dorkings have more 
than once been exhibited with an infusion of Shanghae 
blood. It appears singular that, among some forty chickens 
thus bred, not above two or three had any appearance of 
feather on the legs, which were of the clear flesh colour of 
the Dorking. 
Malays are a class where more discussion usually follows 
the Judge’s award than in any other department of an Ex¬ 
hibition. Nor is this always without cause, for birds that 
are comparatively so scarce in a pure state do not afford 
that opportunity of inspection that best leads to an accurate 
decision. The peculiar head, erect carriage, elongated form, 
and close, brilliant plumage of the Malay, are, however, most 
distinctive features; and for the best estimate of their com¬ 
parative merits I should look to Dorsetshire for a Judge.—W. 
WARNING. 
Mr. J ; M. Eaton, the well-known pigeon-fancier, has sent 
us the letters he received from one W. H. Clifford, 31, Wel- 
beck Street, Charlton-on-Medlock, Manchester. They are 
very ingenious letters, and succeeded in obtaining from Mr. 
Eaton a pair of Carriers, valued at £3, and for which Mr. 
Eaton has never received payment. 
OUR LETTER BOX. 
Golden-spangled Hamburghs {Hamburgh). —We have no con¬ 
nection whatever now with The Poultry Book. The misprint on the 
plate of “ Golden-pencilled ” is corrected in the errata. 
Shropshire Cattle and Podltry Show op 1855.— A Winner of 
Five Prizes at the above Show, which prizes have not been paid, sends 
us this list of the Committee :— 
John Bishton Minor, Esq. 
T. Smith, Esq., Stableford. 
E. W. Hazlewood, Esq. 
Mr. S. H. Ashdown. 
Mr. George Gill, Weston. 
Mr. Evan Bowen. 
Mr. Edward Gough. 
Mr. Stephen Matthews. 
Mr. George Burr. 
Mr. Richard Hill, Golding. 
Mr. J. B. Chune. 
Mr. H. C. Simpson. 
Thomas Juckes, Esq. 
Our correspondent asks, “ Could the money be got through a County 
Court?” and we reply, Certainly. Select a member of the Committee 
who attended its Meetings, and authorized the printing of the prize-list, 
and have the Secretary as your chief witness. It is a duty to sue those 
who hold out such promises of prizes, and then break those promises. 
Rcnt Pigeons (C. Fairhrother). —Go to the Crystal Palace Poultry 
Show. You will see specimens there, the prices, and who are the owners 
of the best. 
Leg Weakness in a Cockerel (D. G. The cockerel, who 
is described as suffering only from an inability to stand, is probably suffer¬ 
ing from muscular weakness, the weight of the animal being out of pro¬ 
portion to its strength. Should this be tbe case a little preparation of 
iron would act as a restorative. Two grains of the sulphate of iron 
(green vitriol) will answer ; but the citrate of iron is a less powerful pre¬ 
paration, and may be given safely in three-grain doses daily.—W. B. T, 
John Meire, Esq, 
Mr. William Wyley. 
Mr. Charles Calcott. 
Mr. John Heatley. 
Mr. George Cureton. 
Mr. Edward Crane. 
Mr. Steadman, Bedstone. 
Mr. Thomas, Woodbatch. 
Mr. W. P. Claridge. 
Mr. Thomas Southam. 
Mr. Thomas Horton. 
Mr. Thomas Groves. 
LONDON MARKETS. —December 1st. 
COVENT GARDEN. 
Markets very well supplied with out-door produce, and a slight improve¬ 
ment in prices has been supported during the week. Hothouse fruits 
are now confined to Grapes and Pines, the latter being very abundant 
for the season, and may be had for 4s. or 5s. per lb. A few parcels of 
Pears have passed through auction, but of very inferior description, and 
the season for importations of that article may now be considered as 
drawing to a close. 
POULTRY. 
There is the usual lull both in the supply and demand, which is ob¬ 
servable when Christmas is within a month. The quantity of Hares and 
Pheasants has exceeded all expectations. 
LargeFowU 4s. 6d. to 5s. Od. each. Pheasants . 
Smaller do 3s. Gd. to 4s. Od. 
Chickens .. 2s. Od. to 2s. 6d. 
Grouse .. .. 2s. Od. to Os. od. 
Woodcocks 3s. Od. to 3s. 6d. 
Snipes .... Is. 3d. to Is. 6d. 
Partridges.. 2s. Od. to Os, Od. 
Pigeons.8d. to 9d. 
2s. 9d. to 3s. Od. each. 
Hares.2s. 3d. to 2s. 9d. ,, 
Ducks .... 2s. 9d. to 3s. Od. ,, 
Geese.6s. Od. to 7s. Od. ,, 
Rabbits.... Is. 4d. to Is. 5d. ,, 
Wild ditto. lOd.to Is. ,, 
Turkeys.. 6s. Od. to 10s. Od. „ 
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London: Printed bv Hugh Barclay, Winchester High-street, in 
the Parish of Saint Mary Kalendar; and Published for the Proprietors 
at The Cottage Gardener Office, No. 20, Paternoster Row, in ; 
the Parish of Christ Church, City of Loudon.—December 2, 1856. 
