POULTRY. 299 



and arrange them . properly, could soon put things ship-shape, 

 and contribute to the pleasure of all. 



It seems to me that the great secret of success in exhibitions 

 of this kind, is to place every single thing fully and fairly before 

 the public. Every man has his preferences ; he cares most to 

 see some particular part of the show, and he looks with favor 

 on some other parts of the show. He speaks well of it, and 

 next year comes again and brings others with him. 



There is another matter connected with the exhibition to 

 which I would refer, and would say that in this I do not express 

 the opinions of the other members of the committee. Premiums 

 are offered for trios of fowls. Some exhibitors place four, five 

 or more in a coop, which I think objectionable for these 

 reasons. 



A coop for five or six must be larger than one for three, and 

 of course takes up more room than the latter. Where room is 

 scant, each should give his neighbor his proper share, and be 

 content with the same amount. It takes much more time to 

 decide on the merits of a trio of fowls, if one, two or three of 

 the same breed are placed in the coop with them. In the first 

 place the three best have to be selected, and a comparison of 

 them with other trios is difficult in proportion to the number 

 together. When the decision is made, and the premium card 

 placed on the winning coop, how is the visitor to know which 

 the committee meant in making the award ? 



When more than the required number is put in a coop, it is 

 probably because the owner felt unable to select the best trio, or 

 else believed them all superior, and wished to show them to 

 please himself. Were premiums offered for the best lots it 

 would be different ; but as only trios compete, it seems best that 

 all others should stand aside and let the competing birds be 

 seen. The giving premiums to things in general is not to be 

 commended. It enables the successful exhibitor to sell (if so 

 dishonest) all the fowls in a coop as premium fowls. If one 

 great object in the exhibition of poultry and the award of pre- 

 miums to best specimens is, in short, to educate the public in 

 this regard, does not the practice to which I allude tend directly 

 to defeat that object ? 



The rule in making entries requires a statement of what is 

 entered ; the breed, age, where raised, mode of raising and feed- 



