1G6 Bureau of Farmers' Institutes. 



were in the pink of condition. Nature and proper food did the 

 work in a few months that years of artificial feeding; never would 

 accomplish. 



Just so with Games. The fine, graceful lines, grand stature and 

 hardness of feather that make up the ideal show' (lame can only 

 I e secured by following the laws of nature in the building- up of 

 the framework. Successful exhibitors of (dunes rear their birds 

 in the field and forest and not in the back lot. The free range 

 and unlimited forage, with a grain diet, consisting principally of 

 oats, will bring forth strapping healthy specimens in the fall that 

 will stand the training coop without loss of strength and vigor. 

 The finishing touches are easy when the foundation has been prop- 

 erly laid. 



The training of a Game bird for the .-how-pen is of vital im- 

 portance. A coop shy bird, no matter how good he may be, will 

 lose the prize nine times out of ten when it confronts the judge. 

 The moment he is touched the trained bird will pose and do his 

 level best to " show up," and that wins many a blue ribbon. It 

 is not difficult ro train a bird provided the owner is in sympathy 

 with it. Birds love to be handled and fussed over. 



When 1 was, at the Philadelphia* show last week I met Rajah II., 

 an Indian Gamecock who won first at Xew York as cockerel last 

 year. I remembered his posing and when I tickled him under tho 

 chin and stroked his back he posed like a statue, showing his- 

 beautiful and symmetrical lines to the very best advantage. He 

 would stand for a minute without moving. 



The same might be said of Game Bantams. Take such past 

 masters of the art as B. C. Thornton, A. A. Parker and John 

 Glasgow and note the wonderful condition and training of their 

 birds. Is it any wonder that they win? 



Leghorns and Hamburg's require the same preliminary treat- 

 ment that (dimes do. They need the muscular development first 

 and then the finishing touches in the fitting-room or coop. Many 

 birds of these varieties have their combs enlarged and spoiled by. 

 too early cooping and feeding. 



As to white fowl, I am inclined to think that a shady orchard 

 sown to clover is the best preparatory school. The chickens will 

 come out in the fall with nice white plumage and good yellow legs 

 and the final preparation is but a bagatelle. I am aware that many 

 exhibitors prepare their fowl months ahead by cooping them in 

 the fitting-room and not exposing them to sun or rain. This may 



