Januan* 4, ISl'l. ] 



JOURNAL OF HOKTICULTUEE AND COTTAGE G.ARDENEK. 



21 



favourably ; and I believo that if faii'ly carrieil out such a show 

 would be a feature of the year. But it is because I think it 

 would serve a really useful purj^ose, that I propound it to the 

 f lucy at large. — L. Wriodt. 



EXCLUDING DEALEES FROM EXHIBITING. 



I HAVE been waiting to see an answer to Mr. J. Ashworth's 

 letter in your number of December 7th, in which he advises 

 secretaries and committees of poultry shows to exclude all 

 dealers, but no one having answered it, I ask space for a few 

 lines. There are many societies formed, and many forming for 

 the purpose of comparing birds, and for friendly competition 

 amongst members only, and I believe in all cases the rules are 

 very strict against admitting dealers. Now, if Mr. Ashworth 

 will join these, it will do away with his objection to compete 

 against dealers. At the same time I should be very sorry, 

 and 1 am sure many others would be sorry, to see them ex- 

 cluded from our large shows, as by doing so we are robbed of 

 half our victory when we win, for we could not but feel that 

 our success was only partial when all were not allowed to 

 compete. 



The object of all large shows, such as Bhmingham, the 

 Crystal Palace, Manchester, is to bring together the best birds 

 in the kingdom ; this would be frustrated were Mr. Ashworth's 

 advice acted on. He says, "Fanciers may buy the best birds 

 dealers have at very high prices, and at the very next show 

 the same dealers beat them completely." Considering he 

 WTites in the interest of real fanciers I think his letter a con- 

 tradiction. Real fanciers do not buy birds to win. What 

 credit is it to give, say, £20 or £30 for a pen of birds to win ? 

 The great pleasure and credit is when you can say, " I obtained 

 those birds by careful breeding, and did not buy other people's 

 work and experience to win." I am sure Mr. Ashworth does 

 not object to be beaten with better birds than his own. I 

 always feel pleasure in seeing birds superior to what I possess. 

 It is a very difficult matter to say who are dealers and who are 

 not. A dealer is one who buys and sells — do we not all do so ? 

 — Frank Graham, Birkenhead. 



AMALGAMATION OF COLUMBARIAN SOCIETIES. 

 Fob the last ten or twelve years I have taken a leading part 

 in getting up Pigeon shows, but latterly have been inclined to 

 give them the cold shoulder, from a doubt arising in my mind 

 whether open competitions were productive of good or very 

 great harm. Wlien Pigeon shows were first introduced the 

 committees were formed of enthusiastic fanciers — business 

 men, as a rule — glad to have a little relaxation from the worry 

 of warehouse labour, and perhaps indulging in their youthful 

 fancy, when the memory of boyhood and their "first pair" 

 reproduced a pleasure they would fain reahse again, by giving 

 themselves and other fanciers an opportunity of meeting with 

 each other, and in a friendly and houom'able spirit innocently 

 competing their birds. Now we find that this sort of compe- 

 tition has greatly verged into a complete mercantile speculation, 

 and accompanied by all sorts of trickery and deception, by 

 combinations and other unfaii- means, so that every society 

 must now feel their labour, theh time, and their money, is 

 worse than thrown to the dogs. Changes have been made year 

 after year in the hope that a better spirit of competition would 

 ensue, but again and again the same sickening reflection after 

 it has passed; and we find, as before, the bulk of the prizes 

 have been carried off by some exliibitor, who, making it his 

 business, enters one hundred birds, or may be more (though 

 not always in his own name), and gives his whole time 

 and mind to making it pay. We too frequently find an 

 amount of deception practised, so artistically executed that from 

 *>ur best judges, not having the time necessary to detect it, 

 the money goes. Medals, cups, and such like, are not wanted ; 

 ■" Money I want, never mind the medal," is the invariable 

 request of the speculator. Can there be no alteration made 

 to prevent our competitions going down altogether ? for assuredly 

 they wiU if carried on in this way, when the continual cry of 

 these exhibitors is, " Give us larger prizes." " Do not charge 

 so much entry money." " Those who get up shows should not 

 exhibit, at all events, should not compete," and so forth. 

 Again, however, the old feeling returns when a new idea is 

 suggested by " A Columbarias " — the amalgamation of Colum- 

 barian Societies. This, I firmly beheve, would answer the 

 purpose, and I have no doubt " A Columbarian " will secure 

 he gratitude and co-operation of all true-hearted fanciers to 



carr^' his new idea into effect, which having been seconded by 

 "West Riding," I trust will be innnediately acted upon; and 

 if a prehminary meethig be requested of all secretaries who 

 favour such a scheme, I have no doubt a very warm response 

 would be the result. — A Willing Helper. 



MANCHESTER POULTRY SHOW. 

 For eleven years past the Manchester Show has been held at 

 the Belle Vue Zoological Gardens, aud annually increasing in 

 public estimation, has now become one of the most important 

 meetings in the kingdom. The hall it which it takes place is 

 not to be surpassed by any other building in the country. 

 Though warmed artificially, the ventilation is perfect, the Ught 

 amply sufficient and well-diffused, and the feeding of the birds 

 aud general attention such as must give entire satisfaction to even 

 the most fastidious exhibitor, whilst it is impossible to speak 

 too highly of the unvaried attention paid to the poultry. The 

 Messrs. Jenuison, who are the proprietors of the Gardens, 

 having had a hfetime's experience in keeping in perfect health 

 valuable animals among their own large collection, feel quite at 

 home in all that relates to the proper attention necessary to a 

 potdtry show, even in case of any unexpected illness or mis- 

 adventure arising to any of the highly esteemed birds entrusted 

 temporarily to their care. There is not a doubt that a consider- 

 able number of the best pens of poultry on view, evidently 

 almost exhausted from over-exhibition, will leave the Manches- 

 ter Show in far better condition to that in which they were 

 received at the time of admission. Indeed, it is very probable, 

 not a few pens that actually were sent on from the Edinburgh 

 Show to Manchester, would have succumbed altogether to this 

 overtax on their powers but for the prompt and efficient treat- 

 ment adopted by the managers at Belle Vue. 



It is long since we saw so splendid a collection of all the lead- 

 ing descriptions of poultry as that exhibited on the 28th, 29th, 

 and 30th of December. Orey Dorkings were an immense entry, 

 many being shown in beautiful condition ; but beyond question 

 the hens and pullets were, as classes, superior to the male birds. 

 Silver-Grey Dorking cocks were not true to feather, having 

 partially white tails- partially pulled, to prevent the eyesore 

 being visible. The hens were excellent. Never were better 

 classes of Cochins seen than on this occasion, but very many 

 were quite beaten by continuous travelUng and consequent 

 hardships. The hens appeared, however, to struggle through 

 these difficulties better than their male companions. Buffs, 

 White, and Partridge-feathered hens of the highest character 

 were abundantly shown. As to Spanish fowls, most certainly 

 there has not been so good a collection as this brought to- 

 gether during the recently-ended year. Buyers for the best 

 of these classes purchased extensively, and we have httle doubt 

 their speculation will prove a most remunerative one. The 

 Dark Brahmas were really good, but many had been too much 

 shown previously to hold their own in competition with birds 

 fresh from the breeders. Light Brahmas, on the contrary, fell 

 behind in quaUty aud style, aud excited but httle pubhc 

 interest. Game fowls, Brown Reds and Black Reds more 

 particularly, were one of the great features of the Show, and 

 it will be seen by the prize hst new names are becoming 

 prominent. The Game fowls, almost without exception, were 

 in exquisite condition. It is a remarkable fact that the Game 

 Bantams were shown iu very inferior health and plumage, 

 or as a visitor verj* graphically observed when looking at them, 

 " they seemed all worked out." The Houdans and Creve-Cmurs 

 were most important and well-filled classes, far surpassing any 

 previous show held iu this district. Hamburghs were best in 

 the Spangled varieties, and perhaps the Black ones are equally 

 worthy of mention. All the Ducks, Geese, and Turkeys were of 

 the most perfect character, and the fancy Waterfowl class 

 embraced three pens of Whisthng Ducks, as many Mandarins, 

 and the like number of Ruddy Shell Ducks, CaroUnas, as well 

 as a variety of other interesting breeds. In cases where great 

 merit was general the Messrs. Jennison, with their customary 

 hberaUty, permitted extra prizes to be awarded, and no doubt 

 iu such cases an improved prize schedule in future years will 

 result. 



DOBKING3 (Coloured except Silver-Grey).— Cocfc. — 1, J. White, Warlaby, 

 Northallerton. 2, Miss Daries. 8. W. Haryey, Sheffield, he, Hon. W. H. W. 

 Fitzwilliam, Eotherham ; T. Slalter, Mancheuter; H. Yardley, Birmingham. 

 c. RcT. J. G. A. Baker, Biggleswade, Beda. Hrni —1, W. W. Rultlidge. Kendal. 

 2, J. White. S, J. Martin, he. Rev. G. Hustler, York ; W. Arkwnghl, Chester- 

 field ; W. Copple, Prescot, Lancashire : G. Whitcombe, PufBey, Gloucestershire, 

 c. J. Copple, Prescot, Lancashire ; J. White. ^ „ „ « „ ., 



DoHKiNGSlColoured except Silver-Grey).— Cocl-crf(.—l and 3, N. RusseU. 2, 

 J. White, he, W. Arkwrinht (21; N. Russell (2); Rev. J. G. A. Baker (i); J. 

 Martin, e, N. Russell, Bryngiryn, Oswestry : Miss Davies, Chester ; J. Robm- 

 Bon.Garstang: J. Copple; W. Copple; W. W. Ruttlidge Pu(M< -1 and 2, 

 W. Arkwright. 8, Rev. J. G. A Baker, he. Miss Danes (4); A. Darby, Bridg- 

 north ; J. While ; J. Copi)le; W. W. Ruttlidge. „ , T T 



Dorkings (Silver-Grey).— (3oc/t.—l. T. Raines. Slirling. 2, J. L. Lovrndea, 

 Avlesbu.y 3. R. D. Holt, Windermere, he. T. L. Jackson. Hens or Palletl. 

 — 1, R. D.Holt. 2, T. Raines. 3, W. W. RuttUdge. /u:, J. C. Cooper, Limenok; 

 R. D. Holt. _ . „ -,. „ ■ V » 



DoBKLVGS -Bo$e-combed. — l, D. Parsons, Preston. 2, Miss Fairhurst, 

 Ormskirk. 3, J. Robinson, he, Hon. D. H. Finch, Leamington bpa ; H. Frank- 

 land, AccringtoQ. 



