December
8, 1983
Good
Morning Mr Plant:
November 15th....I
had the privilege of meeting Dr William Longenecker. For many years he has
helped me with research, doing COMPUTER INFORMATION SEARCHES...for me. During
this visit he told me you writing him. On returning to the office.....I find
where he sent me a copy of that same letter!
WILL
BE MUCH, MUCH INTERESTED....in your histories on the 4 breeds that originated
in Australia. With your research ability, would like to count on you for this
information for my long range planned book: POULTRY OF THE WORLD WILL ALSO
NEED
EXCEPTIONAL
PICTURES.....close-ups, well posed, in color.
NOTE IN YOUR LETTER
you
plan to compile another book...on the Origin, Evolution, History and
Distribution of the Domestic Chicken.
BY
COINCIDENCE
ON
THIS TRIP.....visited with a Professor John Skinner....who at one time
indicated an interest in doing a chart, showing where these breeds
started....etc.
Am not sure as to the extent of your
RESEARCH LIBRARY. While I do not have as complete a Library as some of
the large collections here in the U.S., over the past 10 years I've invested
considerable in ancient poultry books. Perhaps we can help each other?
A
Professor William Cawley....has expressed to me some doubts on the accuracy of
the statement....that ALL our domestic chickens originated from the JUNGLE
FOWL! This would apply to many breeds...but he questions this as to the
Cochins and fowl of the Malay stature.
NOW
IN MENTIONING COCHINS....
.....I
have never been satisfied with information that I can get on the origination
of the COCHINS.
Off
hand...a quick item on this, they originated in the Shanghai area of
China...something to that effect. Such is very vague....what did they
originate FROM? Surely they....
DID NOT JUST HAPPEN TO POP OUT OF NOWHERE!
ON
THIS RECENT TRIP,
spent
3 days in Columbus, Ohio .....the largest poultry show in the U. S. With over
10,000 entries. At this show, the AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION introduced
their new Color Standard of Perfection, the
official show specification book....the "POULTRY FANCIERS BIBLE! It is a
fine book....464 color pictures. Price is $35.00....sent Via Air Mail....$4.50
more, otherwise $2.00 shipping.....via surface.
BACK TO VISIT WITH DR LONGENECKER!
They have contact with 140 countries
that have
organized
Ministries....or...Departments of Agriculture. Will have him conduct a SEARCH
TO THOSE COUNTRIES....seeking pictures, informations, etc. Will convey to Dr
Longenecker...that I also had received a copy of your letter to him. He is a
fine fellow....but right now is concerned, being of retirement age, that the
government is going to force him TO
RETIRE....which....he does not wish to do.
As
to more history on the COCHINS, I expect to pursue this search through
contacts with the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C. Somewhere along the line
I hope to MAKE CONTACT....with
some Chinese.....who is dedicated to poultry, to seek out some more history,
so we have it MORE COMPLETE...and....of course / ACCURATE.
WILL
LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR LETTER. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
Best
wishes for a WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON