February 17, 1870. 



JOURNAL OP HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



139 



prominent from the eye to the root of the beak, which oanaea 

 the oval-shaped head. The beak should be short and thick, 

 with proportionately warted nostrils, slightly rising close to 

 the head ; the nnder mandible of the beak, with the exception 

 of the wart, should be similar in formation to the top man- 

 dible, possessing a small portion of horny substance, as the 

 feathered skin extends within an eighth of an inch of the end 

 of the mandible, which appears quite as thick as the top 

 wartod mandible. The eye of this bird is most remarkable ; it 

 expresses dignity and great resolution. It is of a bright red 

 colour, with a large black pupil, and it should be encircled with 

 a fair portion of lash, rising on the upper part, so as to equal 

 the height of the centre of the arched head, causing the eye to 

 be very prominent and conspicuous. In carriage this bird 

 equ als any of the other varieties. It stands high, is wedge- 

 shaped, and quite clear of any superfluous feathers near the 

 legs. It has a most graceful neck, moderately arched below 

 the head, and possesses a very broad chest, enveloped by the 

 powerful butts of its wings, which have strong, broad, and 

 long flights, the longest of which reach the end of its tail. 

 Though the birds of this breed appear large, on examination 

 they will be found to be of very moderate size, as it is the 

 length of feathers which make3 them appear otherwise. 



Undoubtedly the fanciers of Birmingham and its district 

 were the originators of the Show Antwerp, and certainly they 

 agree as to the standard of the breed as above represented. 

 Thay deserve high praise for their endeavours in raising this 

 bird to the position it now occupies amongst fanciers, and the 

 favour which it gains daily, notwithstanding the condemna- 

 tions of tho prejudiced, proves what perseverance can ac- 

 complish. Visitors to the Society's Show, who only knew of 

 the common half-bred Owls called Antwerp?, were taken by 

 surprise, and offered to purchase many of the specimens. One 

 fancier, a non-admirer of this breed, has confessed that he can 

 now see that birds of this class command the admiration of 

 all who are willing to observe them attentively. 



There are but three more colours recognised by fanciers : — 

 the Blue Chequered and Red Chequered, which, when good in 

 colour, command quite as much admiration as the favourite 

 Silver Dun — and the Blue, which is of a beautiful clear blue, 

 with exquisite metallic neck, blue rump, and jet-black bars. 

 Fanciers generally like to see the good effect of all the colours 

 in their pens. 



Some prefer the Red Chequered with grey heads to contrast 

 with the deep purple-red neck, but quality is of the greatest 

 importance in this breed. 



These birds are bred true to colour, and they breed true- 

 coloured birds, and should never produce young with a frill, or 

 any indication of it, as is the case with the common Owl-bred 

 birds. 



Now a word as to their homing properties. Though the 

 gladiator-like character of the bird is sufficient recommenda- 

 tion, the owners of these birds do not care to expose them to 

 the risk of being shot, shooting flying Pigeons being the com- 

 mon habit in the midland district. Notwithstanding, trial 

 has proved that they are capable of undertaking any reason- 

 able journey with proper training. They originated from the 

 celebrated short Belgian Antwerp of the Litge type, and as a 

 proof, two birds of this class, which had been sold when only 

 five and six months old, have returned home, the first twelve 

 months, and the second two years afterwards, hardly recognis- 

 able from improvement, but for taking possession of their 

 original roosts. — N. 



SUNDERLAND CANARY SHOW. 



I should be stepping beyond my province of Secretary, were I to 

 venture on any critique on tho judging at our late Show, but I shall go 

 ho far as to say, that to us, as a Committeeman, it was very satisfactory. 

 There might have been here and there an exhibitor who could not see 

 with the judges' eyes ; but, as a whole, the awards were evidently the 

 result of moat careful scrutiny, and accurate knowledge of the re- 

 quirements of the various classes. 



For the information of those who could not visit ns, I may just ob- 

 serve that the prominent features in the Show were — Messrs. Bern- 

 rose & Orme's Clear Jonque. and Mr. Walter's Clear Buff Norwich ; 

 the Belgians shown by Mr. Rutter, and the Mules, of which Messrs. 

 Young, Ashton, Shiel, and Stansfield were the chief exhibitors. The 

 Norwich birds referred to were simply perfection. As for tho Belgians, 

 it was the opinion of the most competent judges, that twelve such 

 birds a3 those with which Mr. Ratter took the whole of the Belgian 

 prizes, were never before staged by one man in England. The 

 Norwich were perfection. The Belgians were a little better than the ' 



Norwich. But the Mules ! What about them? Well, they wore just 

 a little better than the Belgians. " Snowrlako's " brilliant " flourish," 

 blushed a deeper red under his cup honours, while other birds of 

 known reputation occupied the highest positions in their respective 

 classes, as models of absolute perfection. In no class of birds is me- 

 diocrity so often met with, and perfection so seldom found. — W. A 

 Blakston. 



THLRSK CANARY SHOW. 



The first Canary Show held at Thirsk, took place on the 2. ; )th and 

 29th of last month, thanks to the indefatigable exertions of Mr. Thomas 

 Bailey, Secretary ; Mr. Thomas Bailey, Treasurer ; Mr. Thoma3 

 Bailey, Committee ; and Mr. Thomas Bailey, servant-of-all-work. It 

 was a most excellent show, several of our most noted men doing as 

 every true fancier ought to do, sending their birds to encourage a first 

 attempt. Too much praise cannot be awarded to the Secretary, 

 Treasurer, and Committee, for fits determination in bringing thiB 

 Show to such a successful result. I can only imagine he has had a 

 stroJce! He talks of silver cups for next year, and with him to talk is 

 to do. I am most happy to say that so far as I could see, everything 

 in connection with the Show was conducted as it ought to be, and I 

 can confidently commend Thirsk to the notice of exhibitors. 



Memo. If you go with your own birds, and you want comfort, at 

 tention, ham, sheets redolent of lavender, e™s, politeness, and other 

 items, valuable when away from home, inquire for Mr. Rose, at the 

 Black Lion. The above articles are kept in perfection. — W. A. B. 



CHEAPER BEE-HIVES. 



The reply (page 38) respecting bee-hives seems scarcely to 

 meet the case. Of course, I could buy a cottage straw hive with 

 modern appliances for the treatment of bees, as described by a 

 " Manchester Man" (November 4tb), for 3s., and these I have 

 constantly recommended to my cottagers ; but for myself I wished 

 for something a little more ornate, and the margin between 

 3s. and five guineas is wide. Without making a business or a 

 hobby of bee-keeping, there are many who would willingly 

 invest a sovereign or two for the encouragement of scientific 

 bee-keeping, who may think, nevertheless, that five guineas 

 might be devoted to an object of greater importance. I quite 

 agree with you, that " good things are always expensive," and 

 I never buy so called "cheap" things; yet there should be 

 some sort of proportion between an article and its price ; but 

 to give five guineas for a deal box (for after all the " expense, 

 ingenuity, and skill " expended on it, and I am quite prepared 

 to admit that all these should be remunerated, it is still but a 

 deal box), though of well-seasoned, and therefore expansive 

 wood, I, for one, think that such prices defeat their object, 

 You seem also to suppose that bees were included, but not only 

 wa3 there no question of bees, but even the above price did not 

 include the "etceteras" necessary to complete the hive, so 

 that one could form no idea what the final expense might be. 

 If there is one thing in such matters an Englishman likes to 

 know, it is the extent of the liability he incurs. We also all 

 know how increased demand follows a low tariff. — R. H. C. 



[The reply was not ours but from a correspondent. We quite 

 agree with you in thinking that a cheaper wooden hive is a 

 thing much needed. We believe that there are no patent 

 rights at present existing in this country relating to hives. Tho 

 only patent obtained for a hive within living memory, is pro- 

 bably that of Major Mucn, whose term must, however, have 

 expired many years ago. Those who sell expensive bive3 have, 

 as a rule, little or no claim to be considered inventors.] 



MY FIRST APIARIAN SEASON. 



I have in recent numbers of "our Journal," read of tho 

 failures in bee-keeping experienced by several of your corre- 

 spondents, and as they might tend to discourage soma who 

 may wish to cultivate the acquaintance of " our little pets," I 

 will endeavour to show that any one with average abilities 

 may succeed in this interesting and, to me all-engrossing, pur- 

 suit, and give you the results of the first season of another 

 " beginnor." I have only had two practical lessens in api- 

 culture, kindly given me by an old correspondent of yours 

 ("J. E. B.," who, I regret, now never favours your readers with 

 his interesting communications). I have, h mover, had tho 

 advantage of the advice of Mr. Woodbury ("T.je Devonshire 

 Bee keei-er") who has treatod me with his asm! kindness. 



I began the year (18G9) with three stocks in common straw 

 hives. In May and June I had three swarms from them, one 

 weighing 5 lbs., and two 7 lbs. each uett ; the latter you said at 



