Then there is another good laying
breed, a breed of hens that lay splen
didly in the winter time. We refer to
the
BLACK L ANGS1I A.N.
This popular variety has taken a
great hold with the people. The Laug
shan hen is a good winter layer, and
no mistake about it.
There is a great many different sto
ries told about the origin of the Black
Langshan, but the general testimony
is to the effect that it is a Chinese
fowl. That it came originally from
the mountainous region of China, and
that it is held in very high esteem by
the Chinese. Some people claim that
they regard it a sacred bird over there,
and it took no small amount of schem
ing and smuggling to get the first speci
mens from their native heath. But of
late years the Chinese have taken a
business view of the matter and find
a demand for them, they bring them
to the coast villages where the ships
cast anchor, to sell them to the for
eigners. But it don't matter when or how
the first Langshans came to America.
They are large black fowls, aud the
hens lay brown shelled eggs. The
cocks are fierce and active and exceed
ingly spry, considering their great
size.
The third favorite in the Southland
is the celebrated American breed,
THE PLYMOUTH ROCKS.
The outcome of the American fanciers'
skill, and patient breeding. This is
the great table chicken, and a good
one it is. Everybody concedes the
Plymouth Iiock to be a good chicken
to eat. The hens are also very fair
layers, sitters and mothers, but they are
slow to set in the early spring time.
