April 18, 1867. J 



JOUKNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



287 



24th, and up to this time have received no reply. I again 

 wrote for either stamps or recipe, but to no effect. — A Weekly 

 Subscriber. 



WHAIIFEDAT.E AGRICULTURAL 

 POULTRY SHOW. 



SOCIETY'S 



The sixty-ninth annual Exhibition of the 'UTiarfedale Agricultural 

 Society took place at Otiey ou tUo l'2th inst. This is perhaps the 

 oldest Society of the kind in existence, and has enjoyed au nniuter- 

 rupted series of successes since its establishment. Being the first show 

 of the kind in the season iu Yorkshire, it is generally well attended, 

 and this occasion was no exception ; and had it not been for the unex- 

 pected and unfortunate strike of en^uemen on the North-Eastern 

 line, there is no doubt bat the good old town of Otley would have 

 witnessed the largest concourse of people that had ever been seen 

 within its precincts. As it was, the whole of the traffic on this line 

 was suspended, which proved a great hindrance to the conveyance of 

 stock and poultry ; and had it not been for the extreme courtesy of 

 the Honorary Secretary, Mr. Lee, in withbohling the Judges from their 

 labours till a late hour, many would have had to sutfor disappointment 

 who can now exult in well-won honours. 



In S'pa/i/'sh there were but three entries, the cockerel in the first- 

 prize pen and the pullet in the second being gems of their kind. 

 DorJciur/s had a large entiy, some large well-framed birds being exhi- 

 bited. Two magniticeut pens of Polmuh were shown by the same 

 exhibitor, the first award going to Silver and the sefond to Golden. 

 The class for Red Gionc was large, and some excellent birds were 

 shown, especially Brown Reds, which colour took both prizes, Mr. 

 AyUroyd winning first with a pair of birds which may be said to be 

 perfect ; this pen also took the silver cup given for the best pen of 

 Game of any variety. A good pen of Duckwings was first in Greys 

 and Bines ; and in the Variety class the first prize went to Red Piles, no 

 others in these two classes being worthy of notice. The Golden- 

 spangles as a class did not look well, though two excellent hens were 

 shown by Messrs. Ashton and J. Dixon. The winning pens in the 

 rest of the J7a7nhurf/k classes were as good as could be wished for, the 

 first-prize pen of Silver-spangles belonging to Mr. Beldon standing 

 quite prominent — being, in fact, one of the most striking and perfect 

 pens of birds that can be conceived. The silvery whiteness and almost 

 transparency of the neck and tail hacklo of the cock enabled the 

 marking of the plumage to be seen to great advantage. The cup for 

 the best pen, Game excejited, was awarded to these birds, and they 

 were sold veiy readily at the close of the Show. Game Bantams were 

 but poor, but some very excellent Blacks and Whites were exhibited, 

 also Gold and Silver-laced. 



There were two pens of good large Rouen DiicJcs, but the rest were 

 poor. Aylesburys were a wretched class. Mr. Dixon was first in the 

 Variety class with a lovely pen of Bahama Ducks ; and the pen of 

 Carolinas shown by Mr. Harrison were very fine. 



There was a moderate entry of Fi'jcons, Mr. Beldon being the prin- 

 cipal winner. 



Spakish.— First, H. Beldon. Gilstead, Bingley. Second, J Thresh, 

 Manchester Road, Bradford. Highly Commended, .T. Dvson, Wetherby. 



DoRKiNOS.— First, H Beldon. Second, .T. White, Warbiby, Northaller- 

 ton. Highly Commended, T. Mason, Green Hnmnierton. Commended, 

 W. M. Spence, Weston, near Otley; J. White ; W. Edmoudson, Highfield, 

 Denton, near Otley. 



PoLANDs. — First and Second, H. Beldon. 



Game (Red).— Cup, E. Aykroyd, Girlington Road, near Bradford. Se- 

 cond, J. Hodgson, Bowling Old Lane. Bradford. Hii^hly Commended, H. 

 Beldon. Commended, J. Hudson, Baildon Green; J. W. Other, Leybm-n, 

 near Bedftle ; T. Mason. 



Game (Grey or Blue).— First, W. Fell. Adwalton. near Leeds (Duck- 

 wing). Second, Mi'=s DeiL;hton, Hawksworth, ne:ir Olloy. 



Game (Any other varieiv). — First, H. C. Muaon, Drigblington, near 

 Leeds (Pile). Second. J. W. Other. 



Hamborghs (Golden-spangled). — First, S. & R. Ashton, Mottram, 

 Cheshire. Second, J. Dixnn, North Park, Clayton, Bradford. Highly 

 Commended, H. Beldon ; W. Barstow, Bingley. 



Hamburghs (Silver-spau^led).— Cup and Second, H. Beldon. Highly 

 Commended, J. A. Taylor, M'lnchester. Commended, J. Dixon. 



HAarBURGHS (Golden-pencilled .—First nnd '^ecnnd, H. Beldon, Bingley. 

 Hitrbly Commended, J. Dixon, Bradford; W. J. Harker. 



HAnmoRGHS (Silver-penr-illed). — First and Second, H. Beldon. Com- 

 mended, R. Lon^bottom, Biugley. 



Game Bantams.— First, J, R. Jessnp. Hall. Second, Moody & Cooper, 

 Otley. Highly Commended, R. Chnrlesworth ; J. M. Jollcv. 



Bantams (Black).— First, H. Beldon. Second, W. A." Taylor, Man- 

 chester. Highly Commended, J. R. Jes?op. 



Bantams (White). — First, J. R. Jessop. Highly Commended, W. 

 Bentley, Fairweather Green, Bradford; F. D. .Johnson, Birmingham. 



Bantams (Anv other varietv). —First, T C. Harrison. Beverley Road, 

 Hull. Second. S. & R. Ashtun. Highly Commended, H. Beldon. 



Any Other Distinct Breed. — First, H. Beldon (Cochins;. Second, J. 

 Dixon (Cochin Partridge). Extra Second, W. A. Taylor iBuff Cochins). 

 Highly Commended, H. Beldon (Brahmas). Commended, W. Bentley 

 (Andalnsiau). 



DncKS (Rouen).— First, J. Ward, Drighlington, near Leeds. Second, .7. 

 Dixon. Highly Commended, H. Beldon ; W. R. Ronton. Riffa, near 

 Otley ; A. Fawkes, Farnley Hall, near Otley, 



DrcKS (Aylesbury).— First, Miss Newsomo, Whack House, Yeadon. 

 Second, A. Duncan, Westboume Lodge, Otley. 



Ducks (Any other variety,.— First, J. Dixon. Second, T. C. Harrison 



Highlv Commended, H. Beldon (Calls). Commended. J. W. Scriven, 

 Throstle Nest, Otlev. 



PIGEONS. 



TuMBLRits (Short-faced).- FirRt, H. Beldon. Highly Commended, 

 A. t*c h. B. Laycock, Woodvillo, Keighley. 



Tumblers "(Common).— First, H Beldon. Highly Commended, H. 

 Endeacott, Hunslet Road, Leeds; G. Stanhope, jun., Eccleshill. 



Fantails.— First, H. Beldon. Highly Commended, W. C. Dawson, 

 Weston Hall, Otley. Commended. A. & E. B. LaycoeU 



Pouters — Fir.'^t, H. Beldon. Highly Commended, J. Mason. Com- 

 mended, H. Endeacott, 



Barbs.— First, H. Beldon. Highly Commended, A. & E.B. Laycock; 

 T. L. Ritchie, Otley. Commended, J. W. Scriven. 



Owls.— First, H. Beldon. Highly Commended, A. ift E. B. Laycock. 

 Commended, J. W. Scriven. 



Carriers.— First, H. Beldon. Highly Commended, G. Stanhope, jun. 

 Commended. H. Emieacott. 



TcREiTS.- First, H. Beldnn. Highly Commended. H Endeacott. 



Jacobins.— First, H. Beldon. Highly Commended, H Endeacott. 



Any Other Variety.- First, W.'C. Dawson fSwallowv^). Highly Com- 

 mended, H. Beldon ; J. Jlason. Commended, G. Stanhope, jun. 



Judges. — Mr. K. Hutton, Pudsey, and Mr. C. Dearlove. 



CITY COLUMBARIAN SOCIETY. 



A MEETING of the City Columbarian Soniety took place on 

 Thursday last at the Crown and Cushion Tavern, London Wall, 

 for the purpose of electing oiiicers of tbe Society for the en- 

 suing year, when G. Chapman, Esq., was re-elected President; 

 K. Wingfield,Esq., as Vice-President ; Messrs. Plaskett, Gillett, 

 and Goode as Auditors ; and Mr. J. Ford as Secretary and 

 Treasurer. 



It may not be generally known to your readers that the 

 above Society was formed about twenty-five years ago, and its 

 members meet at the above tavern every alternate Thursday 

 (in the season), for the purpose of encouraging the breed and 

 discussing the merits of that most interesJing of home pets, 

 the Pigeon. The value of some of the choice specimens will 

 be understood from the fact that they have changed hands in 

 the above rooms at five, ten, and even twenty guineas the pair ! 



Gentlemen who take an interest iu the above will find the 

 Secretary always willing to give them auy information they 

 may require. — Columbabian. 



PLURALITY OF QUEENS IN A HIVE. 



Although Mr. Lowe's communication which appeared in 

 pages 187-S, is exceedingly interesting, especially that portion 

 of it which refers to the plurality of queens, it can scarcely fail 

 to occur to many of your readers, that whilst he discredits the 

 evidence of all other observers, he himself bears witness to the 

 occurrence of the most singular anomalies. Although perfectly 

 satisfied there is nothing Munchausen-like in his statement, I 

 have yet grave doubts as to whether his observations have 

 really been accurately made, and whether his inferences are 

 truly in.accordance with facts. I do not think I have ever said 

 anything from which your corresi:)ondent could fairly infer my 

 opinion to be that it is not an tincommon occurrence for two 

 queens to be in a hive at one time. I stated only what had 

 come under my direct observation. Nevertheless, there are 

 times when a plurality of queens is more common than at 

 others. For example, if there has been a cessation of labour 

 for some time previous to removal to the heather, and sub- 

 sequently fine weather sets in under certain circumstances, 

 and for certain reasons, there may be found a plurality of 

 queens. 



I am not now, however, disposed to enter into the dis- 

 cussion, or to give a detailed account of how and under what 

 circumstances a plurality of queens is to be found, but will 

 confine myself to asking a few questions in reference to queens 

 living for three weeks together, which is so contrary to the 

 nature of bees, that I can scarcely credit the' accuracy of the 

 observations which have been made by Mr. Lowe. 



Admitting, then, that an old and a young queen are ia be 

 found in one hive at the same time, has Mr. Lowe nerver seen 

 that sometimes both young and old were dethroned ? New laid 

 eggs being in the hive at the time young queens were again 

 attempted to be brought forward, but only to be destroyed, and 

 that at the last moment a few worms were chosen, and success- 

 fully reared. Has this never been observed by him ? And, 

 again, has he ever witnessed a case in which the old queen was 

 dethroned just at the birth of young princesses, and during the 

 fight for the crown one young one has taken flight and re- 

 turned impregnated ? And if he has observed whether she was 

 well received, and succeeded in establishing herself as head of 



