The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1853-02-17
Tur Su.rcHAt Fowt.-ks this species Of


The SHANGHAI Fowt.-hs this species Of
the fowl race is attracting so much atten-
ton at present, we would call attention to
some valuable testimony given by the edi-
tor of that we'll known agricultural journal,
The GeResee Farmer. Hesays:
awe have received something like a dozen
inquiries during the last two or three months,
as to the merits of these fowls, and their SUI
periority over the common fowl. Some Of
our correspondents express the belief that
the "hen fever is all a humbug, got up by
spectators for the purpose of obtaining
money under false pretences." Instead Of
answering each inquirer in our "AnSiuerS to
Inqulri s." we shall endeavor to satisfy oil
in this article. Having kept "tdncy' fowls,
and fowls that are not considered fancy"
for several years, we shall only give the
teaching Of our own experience. The Shdrs
ghGi are much larger than our common fowls,
probably averaging three times their weight.
OF about fifty we raised last year, the small
est hen weighed six pounds, and the largest
cock ten pounds, at one year old. They
produce more eggs than any fowls we have
ever kept. The hens often commence lay
ing in less than three weeks after hb tor
ing a brood, and continue laying every
day regularly, at the same time taking care
of the chickens, until they are able to care
for themselves. We made a present of a
pair of Shanghai fowls to a gentleman well
known to all agricultural and horticultural
readers. After a few weeks, happening to
be at his place, we inquired how the fowls
prosPered, and were told that the hen had
not laid. Thinking this strange, we asked
to see what eggs they had, when we found
between two ard three dozen Of the eggs laid
by our pullet, which We readily recognized.
On pointing out her eggs to our friend, he
remarked: any wife has several times OBJ
served that the hen that laid the yellew eggs,
laid more than all the others. She had some
half dozen in all. They are good mothers,
but lay a large number Of eggs before wan
ting to sit-generally from forty to sixty.
The chickens are very hardy-much more so
than any others WI know OF. In several
cases when raising very late or very early
chickens,we have had broods part Shanghai,
or Cochin China, and part common chick
ems, and lost nearly all tho common, without
losing one Of the Others"
He also goes on to say that the flesh is ex-
%cellent for eating-he having killed chick
ems at six months old weighing six lbs dress
ed. That these fowls are superior to all
other varieties for laying qualities, as re-
CARDS number and size of eggs, besides COM
bining all the other desirable qualities Of
barn-yard fowls, is being fast conceded
Their opposers are those who know nothing
of them by experience.
Caution is Necessary against deception in
purchasing eggs or fowls of this species, as
there is much fraud practiced in the matter.
The thoroughbred have feathers extending
entirely to the feet, with a tuft upon the cut
side of the toes, and can be easily detected
by this. Some half-bloods, also, have some
feathers, but not as many as the thorough
bred. Those having no such feathers can
be pronounced an imposition at once. The
eggs are very large, the she'll being yellow.
| should advise none to purchase eggs, I'M
less they know them to be from a pure stock.
CoRRUPTIoN- Washington, February H.
The Committee of Investigation on the
charges against parties connected with the
Capitol Extension, are busily engaged in
taking testimony. From the evidence so
far, it would appear that the charges of gross
corruption are fully substnntiated. One OF
the Committee Ct Investigation states that
judging from the evidence already taken he
has no doubt that at least one-third ofthe
amount (60e ,00C) appropriated by Congress
for the erection of the Capitol Extension has
been squandered; and that various parties,
high and low, are Implicated in the trans
action.