Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1885-09-05

IN. Y. Mali and Express. !

/ ~. 4. mali An0 Ekpfcee
A pert young salesman stood before q
great coop of pigeons in poultry fan
cier's store talking about the merits OF
three handsome chickens In a sDali COOP
TO another youth, while white haired
old farmer from Jersey stood near and
listened attentively.
These are genuine Coohius, said
the salesman. and they are an unusu-
ally fine lot. Cochins ordinarily sell for
fl2 for the trio, bat the boes says that
these must not be sold for less than $50.
He is particularly pleased with the
matched oolors Of these, and be don {
care vhether any one buys them or
not. dos't believe that as great q
price vas ever paid for any chickens
before"
"You are wrong there" said the old
farmer. IL can tell you a story, and
it's a true one, about prices paid fer
fowls that are simply beyond ordinary
belief. In 1850, or thereaoouts, a num-
Der Of bright poaitry raisers in England
undertook to increase the prices paid
for the stock they dealt in by pretending
10 improve their breed. They imp Irted
q variety Of Chinese fowls. snd pretend
ed to accomplish results with them far
beyond anything that could possibly be
done. They issued learned pamphlets.
which discussed the new varieties of
stock. and printed long essays in the
magazines. The iDpulse given to the
business was clear Beyond their widest
anticipations. There we're plenty of
market breeders who were really anxious
TO get variety Of fowls that would lay
more eggs, and would weigh more when
dressed for the Ia BILE, than the old breeds
that had been commsn for years. The
Cochins from CHINA were the favoritss.
Wonderful stories Of the number OF eggs
laid by them we're told.
Finally the gentlemen aHd ladies of
leisure who are always on the lookout
for some new diversion took fancy to
the chicken business. They cared no
thing for the profits. They must have
the best fowls 10 the kingdom; fowls
that o6aid beat the record and shoH q
pedigree at the same time. The Queen
herself bought fancy fowls, and then it
became the fashion to take an interest
in poultry publications and poultry
pedigrees. The prices then began TO
soar.
THE increased demand for fpe stock
brought out new varieties. White and
gray Shanghais soon competed with the
Cschins, and ChittagoRgs with Canton
Chinese foSis, and heated discussions
over the relative merits Of the breeds
we're held on the street corners and over
the stiles In the hedges around the
fields.
"As soon ss the mania was fairly
started, fairs we're held for the sxhibi-
tion and sale of the fowls. Early in
1850 fair in Norwich, England, brought
out l02 lots Of fowls, one of which cen
tanned ITO Oochins belonging TO q lady.
The Cochins were sold and realized t:s6l
Is. Cd, the highest price being 20 Ruineas
for Q sinRls cook. Many single fowls
brought from s. 10 81 each.
THAT sale was the cole topic Of con-
versation In all England for month
The excitement lasted and
the mania spread to America. In 1853
or 1854 Boston Yankee by the name of
bornham. whe knew a good ben when
he saw 1t, sent out TO the Birmingham
(EnRiandl fowl show q cage of gray
ohanQhais. A trio sold at sight for 800,
and at the end of the fair a pair from
this Gage carried off the frat prize, and
they were sold to Mr.. Tay lor, of Shep-
herds Bush, for $500. This is the
highest price on record, believe, for q
single pair. There were plenty Of sales
during 1888 and 1854 for from ESQ TO ESQ
per pair.
People think that 81 per dozen is a
big price to paw for pure stock eggs now
adays, but then single eggs sold for
from $5 10 $40 each. and 1t is on record
that half dozen chickens Just hatohed
we're sold at $40 apiece"
"You said the mania spread to this
country" said the salesman.
Yes, but the prices paid here were
never 50 large Boston seems TO have |
been the headquarters of the business.
Every body wanted fancy chickens. The
orders to the Boston importers came
from Maine and from Texas, and one
firm there sold in 1888 over $23. 900 worth
of fowls. There were single orders
TO $500 or Sl50D, and this
firm sold enc lot for $3.50"
GOOD buiness, that" remarked the
clerk.
Certainly. IL costs no more to hatch |
and rear a fine fowl than one of oom- |
mon breed; In fact, il cost less then, |
and costs less nov, TO keep fowls of
good breeds. PleAty Of men made large |
sums Of money out of the chickens while |
the mania lasted. and plenty who came |
while the boom was booming got cauRhs
In the shower. There we're too many |
people 10 the business aud too many |
poor fowls sold with forged ped!arees. |
People got disgssted, and then the eight |
pound Cochin hens went into potpie at |
ten cents q pound. when the craze |
died out, IL left the country With q ane |
stock of fowls and she prevalence Of |
such beauties ~ these In the coop; for |
there are . great many fowls that are as
valuable intrinsically as these, which 10
due to the craze. But until fowls are
that will lay eggs to order. |
which people very much ex-