October 23, 1873. ] 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



321 



will be a bar to improvement ? and in what year of grace may 

 we expect to have any strain of any variety of fowl bred to such 

 perfection, that all their produce will be so entirely perfect, and 

 80 exactly alike, that it will not require the most watchful care 

 to keep it from degenerating? Mr. Wright's last paragraph 

 toGches the point which must be left to the judges — viz., "ideal 

 beauty." This is the undefinable point, which may be felt but 

 cannot be described, and is truly " the deepest and most myste- 

 rious charm;" but surely we may strive after perfection, 

 although we cannot attain it. 



Mr. Wright has taken much trouble to make a standard, so 

 that it is reasonable to assume that he approves of one, pro- 

 vided it is not " fixed ;" but beyond giving a general idea, of 

 what use is a standard if not fixed and recognised by the judges ? 



It is just possible that the art of man might attain nearly to 

 a " fixed " standard, but the art of man will never attain to 

 such a Protean one as Mr. Wright advocates; and as to any 

 breed of fancy fowl ever attaining to such a " dead uniformity " 

 that it will be as " simply intolerable " as, let me say, Guinea- 

 fowl, I, at least, do not expect to live to see it, and so such a 

 contingency does not disturb my rest. 



With reference to " T. W. D.'s " suggestion I, too, am ready 

 to contribute towards defraying the expenses. — O. P. H. Z. 



In common, I doubt not, with many more, I read Mr. Wright's 

 remarks with pleasure in your number of October 9th. I fully 

 admit their truth, but there is one point bearing on the question of 

 judging which should be noticed. If the standards be unknown, 

 and the awards bo various and inexplicable, how is it that at 

 every show certain names are always noticed at or near the 

 head of the classes in which they exhibit ? In many instances 

 it has been so for year'?, and remains so, notwithstanding the 

 changes of judges. 



There will always be difficulties in fixing a standard. It 

 would be necessary not only to add the points awarded for 

 merit, but also to deduct for faults. From the moment the 

 points are published and their value settled there is nothing to 

 hinder a bird with some glaring fault from taking a first prize. 

 All discretionary power will be taken from the judges, and the 

 owner of a Spanish cock with drooping comb, or Dorking with 

 faulty toe, may, if other points be perfect, become the distin- 

 guished of a class by virtue of the numbers represented by 

 them. Under the present system shows have increased and 

 birds have improved. Spite of all that is said and written, ex- 

 hibitors know perfectly well what to show and how to show it. 

 As a body, the judges have done their duty well. That they 

 have done so may be attributed to the liberty and independence 

 they have enjoyed in the execution of their office; but it seems 

 to me that their occupation is gone if awards are to be made 

 by calculation. Exhibitors may then enter birds, and declare 



on the entry paper they send pen No. , counting so many 



points. In the matter cf judges, let well alone. — X. Y. Z. 



'We agree with our correspondent, for there is one consider- 

 ation which outweighs other merits — high condition. This 

 mast be left to the judge's decision. — Eds.] 



A VAEIED DIET FOR FOWLS. 



There are no animals more omnivorous than fowls; fish, flesh 

 herbs, and grain being devoured by them with equal relish. 

 We say eqnal, for though they commonly pounce upon meat 

 with greater avidity than upon grain, this is generally because 

 it affords a rarity, and a flock kept for awhile almost entirely on 

 animal food will show the same greed for a few handfiils of corn. 



Now, those animals accustomed to use a varied diet should 

 not be confined to an unvarying one. There are, indeed, some 

 species which are naturally limited to one or a few kinds of food. 

 Thus, cattle do well enough althougli kept month after month 

 on grass alone, and a tiger will thrive with notliing but lean 

 meat npon his bill of fare. But with other animals, as with the 

 human race, for instance, the case is different, for no person can 

 maintain the highest efficiency when confined to one article of 

 food. No matter how fond we may bo of a particular dish, we 

 loose relish for it when allowed nothing else for a number of 

 consecutive meals, and the intense craving for variety indicates 

 as its source something more than mere appetite. It gives 

 evidence of real necessities of the system which are constantly 

 varying with the changing circumstances of weather, employ- 

 ment, and other conditions. 



The fondness for variety shown by fowls is as significant of 

 real needs as we have found it to he in ourselves. In purveying 

 for them, a judicious variety selected from the three general 

 divisions — fresh vegetables, grain, and animal food — is at all 

 seasons absolutely necessary for young and old, in order to make 

 them perfectly thrifty. True, they will not starve on hard corn 

 and water, neither will they pay a profit so kept. — (Tin' Amcri. 

 can Poultry World.) 



Tub MiDDLESGoitoL'uu Show of pon'try and Pigeons will be 

 held at Middlesbjrongh on the 27th of November. The schedule 



of prizes offered (though the amounts are not large), are suffi- 

 ciently numerous to deserve attention. In each class three 

 prizes are offered, the classes for poultry being eighteen, and 

 those for Pigeons thirty-one. We hope the young and spirited 

 Committee will receive such encouragement iu entries as will 

 ensure the permanency of the Association. 



BUCKWHEAT FOR FOWLS. 

 I QUITE concur with Mr. Wright iu his remarks upon this 

 article of food for fowls, and believe his observations do not 

 arise from any vague theory, but are founded upon and reduced 

 to a familiar practical application. Among the French authors 

 are Baron Peers, Espanet, and Mariot Didieux, who write much 

 iu its favour, and it cannot be denied but that they are (in their 

 own sorts) well advanced in fowl-culture. My own experience 

 in using it satisfies me that it is very nutritious, constituting a 

 necessary part of a good dietary. I have it ground in propor- 

 tion — one part buckwheat, three of other grain. — S.iER.isiN. 



IPSWICH AND SUFFOLK POULTRY SHOW. 



This was held on the 14th and 15th inst. in the Provision 

 Market. There were upwards of four hundred entries of 

 poultry, Pigeons, Babbits, and Cats. Subjoined is the prize 

 list :— 



Cochin'-China.— Ct/ittamon or Buff.— Cockerel.— I and Cup, Lady Gwydyr, 

 Ipswich. 2, Mra. A. Tindal, Aylesbury, he. Capt. F. tl. Coleridde. 



Cocius-CniNA.— Any oUwr colour.— Cockerel— I, R. S. S. Woodgate, Pembury, 

 Toabridge Wells. 2, Rev. R. L. Story. Lockington, Derby, c, Capt. F. O. 

 Coleridge; J. K. Fowler, Aylesbury. Pullet.— 1 and 2. Mrs. A. Tindal. he, 

 Lady Gwydyr; Rev. C. H. Crosse, lie, Capt. F. G. Coleridge ; J. K. Fowler. 



Brahmi PooTRi.-Dark.-Cockerel.—l, Horace Lingwood. Creeling. 2, O. E. 

 Cresswell. Bagshot. Pullet.— 1, Horace Lingwood. 2, H. Marriott, Skirbeck, 

 Boston, he. Rev. J. G. B. Knight ; J. HiU. c. Col. Cockburn. 



Brahma PooTRi.— Light.— Cockerel.— I and Cup. Horace Lingwood. 2, H. 

 Chawner, jun.. Uttoxeter. Pullet —1, Horac3 Lingwood. 2. H- M. Bliynard, 

 Ryde. Isle of Wight, lie. Lady Gwydyr. c, Mrs. T. Turner ; Mra. F. Cheshire, 

 Acton ; Mrs. A. W. Bachan ; Lady Gwydyr. 



DoRKiU(i.—Cockei-el—\. T. C. Bnmell, Micheldever. 2, F. Parlett, Chelms- 

 ford. Pullet.— I and Medal, F. Parlett. 2, T. C. Burnell. c, T. C. Bumell ; 

 Viscjunt Turnour. 



Game. — Black or Brown Red. — Cockerel,— 1, H. E. Martin, SouUhorpe, 

 Fakenham. 2, E. Bell, Burton-on-Trent. 



Game.— .4ni/ other cotour.—Cockerel.— 'l,'E.'BeU. 2, W. H. L. Clare. Twycross, 

 Atberstone. c. Mra. A. Tindal. Pullet.— I and Cup, C. W. Laxton, Nantwich. 

 2, T. J. Codgbi-ook, Ipswich, he, G. C. Baroett; E. Bell, c, Mrs. A. Tindal; J. 

 W. Fitch ; W. Adams. 



CaEVE-CtEUR.— 1 and E.Ktra, J. J. Maiden, Biggleswade. 



HoDDAN, OR La FL.EcaE.— Cockerel.— 1, J. K. Fowler. 2, W. Cutlack, jun., 

 Littleport. he. W. Dring. 



Creve-C(EUR, Houdan, or La Flecue.— Pui'c^— 1. J. J. Maiden. 2&Tadvhc, 

 Mrs. A. Tindal. c. A. Page, jun. : W. Cutlack. jun. ; J. K Fowler. 



Hamborgh. — GoUl or Sileer-peiicdled. -Cockerel.— 1^ A. Silver, Melford. 2, M. 

 M. Cashmore, Sheepshed. Loughborough, c, W. K. Tickner. 



Hamborgh.— Goid or Silver.simtigled.— Cockerel.— \, T. F.. Jones, Wolver- 

 hampton. 2, W. K. Tickner. 



Hambubgu.— .iH!/ colour. ~Pullet.—\ and Exlra, W. Speakman, Nantwich. 

 2, M. M. Cashmore. he, A. F. Faulkner, c, J. P. Case. 



As-y OTHER Variety. -1, M. M. Cashmore. 2, R. S. S. Wondgate (Black 

 Hamburghs)- he, T. L. Nash (Silkies) ; Capt. F. G. Coleridge (Golden Polanda) ; 

 G. W. Boothby (Golden Polauds); J. P. Case (Black Hamburgh?); J. K. 

 Fowler, c, W. Cutlack, jun. (Black Hamburghs) ; Rev. J. G. B. Knight (Black 

 Hamburghs). 



SelijIng Class.— Hen. Pullet, or Duck.— I and 2, Lady Gwydyr. he, T. C. 

 Burnell; T.L.Nash (Buff Cochin); Rev. J. G. B. Kniijht (Dark Brahma): Rev. 

 F. Tearle (Silver-spangled Hamburghs). Cock, Cockerel, or Drake.— I and 

 Extra, Lady Gwydyr. 2. W. H. L. Clare (Game), he, 1. A. Mudd (Rouen 

 Drake): Rev. P. Tearle (White Dorking); Lady Gwydyr; W. F. Dixon, c, E. 

 Smith (Dark Brahma). 



Bantams. — Game. — 1 and Cup, W. J. Jeffries. Ipswich. 2. W. Rayner, 

 Ipswich. Itc, W. J. Jeffries; W. Rayner; W. Adams; Capt. T. Wetherall. 

 Lodlington ; A. Ashlev. c, T. W. Anns, Clapham : Capt. T. Wetherall. BUuk 

 or White —1. J. S. Pearson. 2, K. H. Ashton, Mottram, Manchester, he, Mrs. 

 Taylor; R. H. Ashton : W. Adams. 



BAVTAMS.-Sflii/W Claas.—l and 2. W. J. Jeffries (Black Red), he, Capt. T. 

 Wetherall (Black Red) ; A. Ashley (Game), c, S. N. Brewster (Duckwing). 



Ducks.— 1 and 2, J. K. Fowler, he, F. Parlett; Mrs. A. Tindal. 



PIGEONS. 



Carrier.— roimsr.—I, A. W. Alexander. 2, H. M. Maynard. c, W. Bulmer; 

 C. Norman. 



PoDTEK.— roiiHi7.— 1, C. Bcvau. Ipswlch. 2, H. Yardley. Birmingham. 



Barb.-Vouiio.— 1, H. M. Maynard. 2. P. H. Jones. )ic, H. Vardley ; P. H. 

 Jones. 



Antwerp.— 1 and 2, C. F. Copcraan, Birmingham, he, U. Yardley; A. R- 

 Burrell. c. C. T. Townsend, , „ 



Fantail.— 1, H. M. Maynard. 2, Miss R. A; Eeles, Southwold. he, J. F. 

 Loverside ; J. Walker, c, J, Walker ; E. Tilchmarsh. 



ANV OTHE'i Varietv.— I, Medal, and 2, V. H. Joneg (Trumpeter and Almond 

 Tumhhr) /u!, S. D. Badleley ; F. Harwood, .lun. (Drag.ion) ; Miss E. A. Eeles 

 (Pigmy I'oatcr); P. H. Jones (African Owl) H. W. Webu (English Owl), c, J. 

 Dntlon (Trumpeter); Col. Cockburn (Trumpeter). 



Skm.ing Class. — 1, C. Norman, Westerfield, Ipswich. 2, P. H. Jopes 

 (F.nKlishOwla). he. J. Hu Isoii (Trumpeter); A. W.Wren (Dragoon): P. H. 

 Jones (Yellow Dragoons and Barbs): C. Norman: Mrs. Green (Ice and 

 Priests); R. Elliott (Trumpeters), c. E. Leo (Dragoon); W.V. Longe. 



RABBITS. 



LOP.EARED.— 1 and 2, F. Banks, London. /K, F. J. Sniilh. c, F. J. Smith; N. 

 W. Kc.rry. 



AsGoRA.- 1 and 2, F. J. Smith. 



HiMALAVAN.- 1 and2. C. King, Long, ftc, E. 8. Smith. „ , „ „v 



Anv other Variety.- 1. G. P. R. Hackett (Belgian Hare). 2, F. J. Smitb 

 (Silver-Orey) he, Mrs. A. Tindal (Belgian Hare) ; E. S. Smith (Silver-Urey). 

 c, T. W. Auus (Silver-Grev). . . „ , , , m 



SELniNO Class —1. C.King. 2, F. J. Smith (Lop), h; J. Parker (Lop); T. 

 W. Ados (iilTer-Orey); F. Banks (Lop), c, N. W. Korry (Lop). 



CATS. 

 TAnuY OR Cvi>Hij3.—l, G. W. Bales, Ipswich. !,E. Baiter. ftc.W. Leathers. 

 c, W. Cutlack, jun. . „ ., _ . „ , 



PERSIiN, ASOORl, OR ANY OTHER LOSO.IIAIIIED.- 1, HOH. MrS. Paget, SCOlO 



