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JOURNAL OF HOIiTiCULTLU^ AMD COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ February 3 ( 1W70. 



Grey Dorkings were exceedingly good, end to the credit of the Sister 

 Isle, all the prizes remained at home. Of Silver-Grey Dorkings 

 there were many excellent specimens ; the old cocks, however, were 

 mostly deficient from grizzled sickle feathers, a defect to which they 

 are very liable after the second or third moult. It is well for exhibitors 

 to note that it is far Letter to show them in their natural state, even 

 with these imperfect sickle feather:, than to remove these altogether. 

 The Ooclbina, though as classes not equal to what we are accustomed 

 to see in England, were as fax only as the prize pens were concerned of 

 exceedingly good quality; Mr. Zurhor-t in Win*.' , 

 Partridge-feathered, and Mrs. Burrell in Bufc's being the principal 

 winners. In the last variety (Buffs), a magnificent cock shown by 

 Mr. Joshua Dawes, cf Moseley, Birmingham, and another pen from 

 the same gentleman containing an excellent Dark Brahma cock, were 

 both thrown out completely for being sent without hens — this over- 

 sight is the more to be regretted as the Cochin %vas unquestionably the 

 beBt cock in his class, and the Brahma with a hen as good would have 

 been also in the prize Hst. Exhibitors cannot err by being too careful 

 in their examination of prize schedules before entering. In the 

 Brahnas, the birds shown by Mrs. Burrell and Mr. It. W. Boyle were 

 such as are but very rarely equalled. The Li^ht Brahmas were not 

 nearly so good, and many of iheni were well-nigh worn out by over- 

 exhibition. The display in the Frank breeds was of unusual excel- 

 lence, and the competition in the Spanish class was good throughout, 

 the Hon. Miss Douglas Pennant taking lirst and third prizes, and the 

 Messrs. Newbitt second position. Hambwglis were good but mostly 

 overshown. I'vlumh were all good, and many of the "White -crested 

 Blacks were gems. Such classes of (Same fowls have never before been 

 shown in Ireland, the so- well-known birds of Messrs. Brierley, Fletcher, 

 and Julian standing prominently in the prize list. Mr. J. Crossland 

 had it all his own way in the G<\me Eautams. The Turlajs, a first- 

 rate class, kept the prizes at home, Mr. J. C. Cooper proving quite a 

 monopolist with pens remarkably well shown. 



All the Watcrfuid were of a quality rarely equalled, and the Orna- 

 mental varieties of Waterfowls were beyond parallel. We cannot re- 

 call every variety shown, but there were Sebasiopol, Canada, Cereop- 

 ais, and Chinese Geese; and cf £)u>:J:s, the Kasarka, or Buddy Shell 

 Duck, the Shoveller, Bahama, Carolina, Shell Ducks, Mandarins, and 

 many others, all exhibited in the very height of good condition and 

 feather. 



Pigeons throughout were entries from the very best lofts in the 

 kingdom, and we may here add to the prize list we printed last week, 

 that the special silver enp for the greatest prizetaker in Pigeons was 

 secured by Mr. Fulton, and the collection cup for poultry by Mr. 

 Brierley, of Middleton. 



Quite a novel tailpiece to a poultry shew was introduced by the 

 Committee of the Dublin Exhibition — viz., prizes for cats ! It caused 

 much merriment from its singularity, and some really handsome 

 specimens were entered. As each cat had to be sent with a collar and 

 chain attached, they proved far more easily managed than was at first 

 anticipated, and the interest of this portion of the Show to many of 

 the lady visitors was evident. 



for which Bristol has become renowned ? The first prize and cup for 

 the two best pullets was taken by Miss Hyde with an excellent pair of 

 birds, smooth in face and excellent in colour. I thought the Hon. 

 Miss Douglas Pennant's buds were extremely goad for the quality and 

 smoothness of their faces. This lady took the Becond prize with a 

 tirst-class pair of birds which were claimed at £10, Mr. H. Lane being 

 third. I noticed the cockerel belonging to thia gentleman, which, u 

 I mistake not, took the first prize at Birmingham, was here only 

 highly commended. He is a very good bird, smooth in face, and with 

 good drop, but, sad to say, slightly wry-tailed. Mr. Lane, however, 

 carried oil the first prize and cup with an excellent specimen ; Mr. E. 

 Jones second, and Mr. H. BelJon third. For the best cock over one 

 year old Miss Hyde was first with a really good bird, his face being 

 pure white and very smooth. As a wLole this class quite came up to 

 my expectations, and fully repaid me for my journey. Many of the 

 birds in the other classes were splendid sp< i i 



After viewing the Show I retired to the canteen adjoining the Drill 

 Hall, where I was introduced to Messrs. Lane, Beldon. Jones, Hyde, 

 and others, and spent an agreeable hour or ho in chatting over my 

 favourite subject, and a more | tea anl - enable company I could not 



wish to meet. I thought, How much mare fortunate am I than poor 

 " Black Domino ! " Why, if he were here, it would make up in some 

 measure for his suli'eiJngs caused by the bad company he fell into at 

 Birmingham. 



On the following rooming two or three other visitors and myself 

 sallied forth in apite of the pouring rain to view the Clifton Suspension 

 Bridge, that being an old friend of mine for many years in London 

 during the time it did service at Hungerford Market ; but it had so 

 got up in the world, and with the addition of it= handsome carriage 

 way, that I could scarcely recognise it. The view that is obtained 

 from it in its present position is most charming. In the afternoon we 

 vUited the yards of one of the largest breeders of Spanish in Bristol, 

 who received us with every courtesy and kindness, taking us over his 

 various walks, explaining his method of rearing early chickens, and 

 giving us one or two valuable hints regarding the management of onr 

 favourites. 



I returned to town much pleased with my trip and the kind manner 

 in which I had been treated by the Bmtoliaus, but saddened by the 

 recollection of the scantiness of the visitors, for it appeared to me like 

 spreading a rich banquet and having no one to partake of it. In con- 

 clusion, I would earnestly recommend yoncg fanciers to visit all the 

 shows they can, for it is only by seeing to what pitch of excellence 

 birds are bred by others, and to what extent the various points in the 

 different breeds are capable of being developed, that they can judge of 

 the merits of their own stock, the probability of success should they 

 feel inclined 10 enter the lists as exhibitors, or even of the rnality of 

 any birds they may be about to purchase. — Black Spanish. 



MY TRIP TO BRISTOL. 



" What ! all the way from London to Bristol only to go to apoultry 

 Bhow? Why, I do think ycu must he going poultry mad." Such was 

 the exclamation of my wife when she heard of my intended visit to 

 Bristol. I, however, explained to her that my madness only extended 

 to Spanish fowls, and was after all a very mild form of the disease, 

 and that Bristol is with regard to Spanish what Newcastle is considered 

 to be to coal. She soon saw the force of my argument, and even went 

 so far as to say that perhaps, after all, if I saw the best of the kind 

 there, it might be of service to me in my future attempts at prize- 

 taking. Thus the subject was settled. So taking an express train 

 from Paddington, off I started to Bristol on Friday morning {Jan. 7th), 

 and after rattling over the iron road for three hours found myself at 

 my destination, the rain pouring down in torrents. This, and being 

 an utter stranger to the place, -were enough to caBt a damper upon the 

 most ardent fancier ; but " nil desperanduin " being my motto, which, 

 by-the-by, is a good motto for all young fanciers who wish to meet with 

 success, I trudged on, and soon found myself at the Rifle Drill Hall. 

 I must say I was much struck with the suitability of the building. I 

 do not think that one better adapted to the purpose could be found in 

 any town in England. The arrangement of the pens was admirable, 

 being in single tiers. For the most part all the birds could be seen to 

 advantage, and plenty of space to walk between the rows of pens added 

 much to the pleasure of inspection, as two or three could Btaud in front 

 of any birds that particularly took their attention, and discuss their 

 merits without inconveniencing the other spectators ; but sorry am I 

 to have to say the benefit of this latter arrangement could not be fully 

 appreciated, for, alas! where were the spectators? I could see but 

 very few. Ah I thought I, no doubt the rain has kept them away ; or, 

 probably, the charge, 2s. 6c/., it being the first day. It will doubtless 

 be crowded to-morrow. But no, the next day was nearly as bad both 

 as regards the rain and lack of visitors. 



And now a few words about the birds. Spanish being the only class 

 I know much about I shall confine my remarks to them. And first, 

 is it to be attributed to modesty, generosity, or oversight that there is 

 not a ten-guinea cup awarded to one of the Spanish classes — a class 



TORQUAY AND WESTERN COUNTIES POULTRY 

 SHOW. 



Poultry shows are " stepping westward." Bristol Show just over, 

 Torquay on the 23rd and 24th of February, and Bath and West of 

 England in June. It is of the second mentioned that I would now 

 speak ; the schedule is before me, and it is liberal — four prizes for 

 each class of poultry— viz., £4, £2, £1, and 10s. This is well. Then 

 there are two prizes for each variety of Pigeons, one £2, the second £1. 

 And Miss Burdett Coutt3 has kindly given a silver challenge cup, 

 value £10, for the most successful exhibitor of poultry, and the Pigeon 

 exhibitor of like qualification will get a silver cup value £3. It is 

 somewhat odd that one old and striking variety of Pigeons is omitted — 

 Turbits, while prizes are offered for Antwerp, which as exhibition 

 birds are inferior. The soft feathery and varied beauties of the Tnrhit 

 should always secure it a class, to say nothing of its being a very 

 ancient variety ; while the Antwerp is the very Yankee of Pigeons, 

 with no lineage, and only a sharp fellow. 



The arrangements for the Show promise well, but it is a first show, 

 and so I would ask exhibitors not to expect too much, but to be tender 

 towards the Committee. The labours and difficulties of committeemen 

 are not sufficiently considered. I heard lately of a gentleman request- 

 ing the secretary of a large show to meet his birds at the station and 

 see them off on their return, generously offering to pay cab hire \ 

 Such a thing is utterly impossible. Secretaries and committeemen 

 work all day and almost all night, never sitting down for hours to- 

 gether. I would recommend the Committee to give all possible pub- 

 licity to their show in Torquay, as well as in the poultry papers. I 

 know the place and the vast number of people whose only business is 

 their daily walk, and who would be very likely to walk into the Show, 

 if they knew of it. Boards or placards with " Poultry Show this day,' 1 

 are the right things to bring visitors. 



I regret that a show of cage birds has not Leen added, for so large a 

 place as Torquay must have many admirers of the Canary and his 

 congeners. I wish the Torquay Show every success, and its Commit- 

 tee will, if it be successful, be rewarded for their labours. — Wiltshire 

 Rector. 



CREWE POULTRY SHOW. 



The second annual Exhibition was held in the Cheese Hall and 

 Corn Exchange, Crewe, on January 25th and 26th. There were op- 



