u 



JOUBNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ Jununry 1, 



Specularia si)eciilum ; 2, probably a loaf of Albizzia lophantha; 8, Con- I nu8 fasciculatus. (An Old Suii«cri!)fr).— Garrya elliptica. (Frederick 

 taurea ragusina; and 4 maybe Cineraria maritima. I J. Bri/an) — 1, Rivina Wehheri.—l, Pellica geraniifolia ; 2, Pteris semipinnatn ; 3, Pblebodium 

 teris; 2, Euphorbia jacquiuuctlara; 3, Justicia spcciosa ; 4, Habrotham- ' aureum; 4, Platyceriuin alcioorne (?); 5, Davallia canariensis. 



METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS in the Suburbs of London for the Eight Days ending December 29th. 



POULTRY, BEE, and HOUSEHOLD CHRONICLE. 



THE PAST AND THE FUTURE. 



In this first Number of "our Journal" appearing in 1867, 

 we, as is our custom, uow review the past and sahite the new 

 year. We hope we are, as we should be, very grateful ; we have 

 been spared to addre.ss our numerous frieud.s again. It is now 

 many years since we first did so, and although the " insatiate 

 archer " makes his annual gaps, yet we are thankful that the 

 original phalanx remains a numerous and serried one. 



Many will remember the past year with gloomy feeUngs. It 

 has been to them, v.c fear we may say to most, a period of 

 gloom, loss, and trial. We are indeed thankful we have not to 

 do with those themes, nor should we advert to them were it 

 not that the destruction of cattle owing to the rinderpest, and 

 the consequent rise in the price of meat, have forced the public 

 of all classes of society to look at poultry as a valuable auxiliary 

 in providing food for a nation. The wonderful increase in our 

 importations of eggs and every article of food produced in the 

 farmyard has awakened the attention, not only of those who 

 seein to consider it their province to provide the food of 

 millions, but of the political economists who assess the loss 

 that is snffered by the community when money leaves the 

 country. We have no doubt the exceptional state of the food 

 market during the past year has awakened the attention of 

 those men whose energies are never directed to a subject with- 

 out producing a visible result. There can be no doubt that 

 the question is capable of great development, and that food, 

 both meat and eggs, may be provided in much larger quanti- 

 ties than at present, without any increase of expense. 



The beginning of 1866 was notorious for the number of com- 

 panies that were formed, and of speculations that were entered 

 into. Poultry w.as represented by two companies ; one has 

 been some time Jefimct ; the other is, we beUeve, the " sick 

 man" of the poultry world — no other result could be expected. 

 None but a very theorist could have dreamed that poultry 

 could be profitably bred on five acres of land in sufficient quan- 

 tities to enable the Company (limited) to sell it by weight at 

 per nound in the metropolis. 



While on the subject of production, we must mention the 

 fact of several hatching machines being brought before the 

 public. We anticipate much good from them. They will 

 never supersede hens, nor would it be a gain if they did, but 

 they will undoitbtedly increase the poultry stock. 



The Poultry Club still exists ; some of its originators and old 

 office-holders are retiring, and a few new members are joining. 

 The account furnished of their Rochdale Show was discourag- 

 ing, and the " Standard of Excellence " has not become the text 

 book of amateurs. We wish them every success in all that 

 tends to the good of the pursuit. 



Birmingham, the great mother of shows, aud the originator 

 of most of our schemes as connected with exhibitions, has 

 again been in the van of innovation, and new ideas were 

 adopted with success at her last Show. It is no uncommon 

 thing in larger undertakings than poultry shows for classes to 

 clash, and for one to ignore the other. Directors and managers 

 can speak feelingly of conflicting interests, and exhibitors, 

 spectators, aud purchasers form three of them. The first 

 class is often threatening to withdraw from exhibiting unless 

 certain things which they desire are complied with. The third 



ia supplied from the second, and they declare justly that they 

 supply the sinews of war. Birmingham has tried to please all, 

 and has partially succeeJed. Purchasers wished to be able to 

 buy a hen of their own selection, aud one that might be bred 

 from without having brother aud sister in the yard. The new 

 classes have proved a success, having nearly doubled the sales ; 

 while purchasers have been suited, the sales of the birds have 

 proved a welcome addition to the profits of the prizetakers. 

 Manchester has again been the scene of a large and successful 

 Show. Mr. Jennison deserves well at the hand of amateurs 

 for the care and punctuality that attend all his dealings. 



The South is giving signs of vitality, and shows are spring- 

 ing up. The Royal Agricultural Society of England will again 

 have poultry at Bm-y St. Edmunds, where the show mil be 

 held this year. 



Dorkings have held their own, but have made no progress in 

 weight. There must be a limit, and they have, perhaps, at- 

 tained it. Spanish remain stationary. Cochins are decidedly 

 improving in quality and popularity. Brahma Pootras are 

 realising our predictions, and not only form a very large class, 

 but an offshoot, the Light Brahmas, is treading on the heels 

 of the Dark birds. Polauds increase in numbers aud quality. 

 Game are always admirable, but they have surpassed them- 

 selves in the past year. Hamburghs are numerous and good, 

 but we doubt whether the best pens are as meritorious as they 

 were some years ago. Crame Bantams are deservedly favourites 

 with the public, and their classes are not only numerous but 

 produce exquisite specimens ; Blacks and Whites hold their 

 own, but Sehrights fall off in numbers. The Eouen Ducks 

 have at last beaten the Aylesburys in weight, and have also 

 formed more numerous classes. Geese are still improving. 

 We should be afraid after what we have seen to fix a limit to 

 the weight they may be made to attain. The same may be 

 said of Turkeys. 



We feel somewhat as we should imagine a Judge feels when 

 at a maiden assize he is presented with a pair of white kid 

 gloves. We have no fault to find, no grievance to dilate upon, 

 no complaint to make. While this gives us great pleasure in 

 our task, of necessity it curtails our paper. Our profession of 

 faith is an old one. We have never willingly hurt the feelings 

 of any one. We have to tell the truth so far as lies in our 

 power. The old saying will recur to many, " On nr sf fache que 

 lie !a verM." If we have caused pain by any remark, the fact 

 that we did not intend to do so will make the amende easy — we 

 apologise for it. Our career has been smooth and easy through 

 a troublous time, we thank our subscribers for it. 



Our support years ago, and our great comfort and happiness 

 now, have been, that among those who form our subscribers 

 we have none but friends. Our success has ]>rGved that we 

 were not mistaken in the line we chalked out when we started ; 

 and now, when we address all, our subscribers, contributors, 

 aud friends — when we close a year of unusual trial to those 

 who are still numbered among the workiug classes — we feel 

 strong in our motives and practice, and hope and believe 

 there will be a hearty response from all when, forgetting the 

 past, except so far as it may have taught useful lessons, we 

 heartily wish to all 



A H-iPPY New Year. 



Walsall PonLTKY Show. — As an additional attraction to 

 this Show, sweepstakes are being arranged for the following 



