374 



JOURNAL OP HOKTIOOLTOBE AND COTTAGE GABDENER. 



[ May 17, 1877. 



first was a good all-round bird. Long-faoed TmnblerB were first 

 and second Black Balds, and third Bed Mottle, three good birds. 

 In TarbitB the winners were good birds, Trumpeters good and 

 well placed ; the first Black, and second and third Mottles. 

 English Owls were a good lot; the best headed bird was only 

 highly commended, perhaps on account of its undecided colour, 

 which was between blue and powdered blue. Foreign Owls were 

 very good, and the winners White ; all good birds. Magpies a 

 good class and well placed. In Short-faced Antwerp cooks first 

 ■was a Bed Chequer, capital in head properties; second also of 

 that colour; and third a Dun, a decided medium-faced bird. 

 Short-faced hens. — A most perfect Bed Chequer first; second 

 and third good Dons. None of these classes were more perfect 

 in head than the Long-faced cocks, the first a grand specimen of 

 the variety, a Dun, as also the second, the latter having pearl 

 eyes; and third a Bed Chequer. The Long-faced hens were 

 very good, the second award in the latter class being made to a 

 Blue Chequer cock of which there could be no doubt. Medium- 

 faced cocks were very good, and the hens were a fair class. 

 In the Variety class first and third were Nuns, and second a 

 Black Turbiteen. 



In Babbits there were nine Lops, the first a fnir Black-and- 

 white doe, not in good coat. Second a Blue-and-white doe was 

 by far the best in the class, being of such quality of ear and 

 texture of coat as is rarely attained. Third, Fawn-and-white, 

 was a good Babbit. The first was best in Himalayans, the 

 second and third being about equal. In the Variety class the 

 first was a Grey Dutch, too much marked on the hind feet and 

 very uneven on the nose; second a Belgian Hare; and third a 

 Silver-Grey. 



POHLTRY.— GiMB.— Blnet Bei.-l, W. 4 H. Adams. 3, J. Waddington. 8, 

 Ambler & Hartley. Brown i?rd.— Cup. E. Land. 2, J. Booth. 8, E. Aykroyd. 

 Ductirina.— 1, H. C. & W. J. Mason. Anj/ other colour.— 1 and 2. H. C. 4 W. J. 

 Mason. 8. J. F. Wallon. BtA-Coct.— 1. W. 4 H. Adams. 2. J. C. Diion. 3, 

 E. Lund. Hm.—l, W. MUner. 2. R. Hemingway. S, W. Scholeflcld. Anv 

 other variety.— Cock.— 1, E. Aykroyd 2. H. C. 4 W. J. Mason. 8, W. Robert- 

 Bhaw. Uen.—\, E. Aykroyd. 2, J. F. Wallon. 3, M. Jowett. Spanish.— Cup 

 and 1, J. PowelL 2, J. Thresh. 8. Mrs. Allsopp. Cocbins.— I, O. Sidfwiok. 

 a, J. Booth. 3 and vhc, H. Beldon. Bruima Puothis.— Car*.— 1. H. Belion. 

 2,J. F.Smith. 3, W. Scholefleld. LijM.— 1, J. F. Smith. 2. M. Hall. 8, R. P. 

 Percival. Dobkings.— 1 and vhc, W. H. King. 2. H. Beldon, J. E. Maude. 8, 

 J. Booth. PoLANDS.— J and 8, H. Beldon. 2. J. Rairailey. Hamdobohs.— 

 aoUl-spar\aled.—Cav, 1, and 2, H. Beldon. S, J. Rawnsley. Silver-spanQled — 



1, H. Beldon. 2, J. Kawnsley. 3. H. Bowker. Golftjitncilied.— 1, lUingworth 

 and Sheard. 2 and 3, J. Rawnsley. Silver-penciUed.—l and 2, 3. RawnsHy. 3, 

 H. Beldon. Black.— \ and 2, H. Beldon. 8, C. Sidgwick. Houdans.— 1 aJid 2, 

 il. HaU. 3. R. A. Boisaier. French Fowls.— ^ii» other variety.—!. M. HaU. 



2, H. Beldon. 3. Robinson 4 Myers. Gahb Bantams.- Bine* Bed.—l. E. 

 WaUon. 2, W. F. Entwistle. S.J.Booth- Brouiniifii.— 1 and2.W.F.Entwi8Ue. 



3, A. Swires. .4n]/ o(/i«r co/oitr.— 1, E. Wallon. 2. F. Holt. S.E.Lund. Cock.— 



1, J. Raynor. 2, J. Blamires. 3, W. F. Entwistle. Bantajib.- Bfack —1, F. 

 Beanland. 2, E. Wallon. 3, H. Beldon. ^w otljer tiaricli/.-l, H. Beldon. 2, 

 H. A. Hawkins. 3, E. Wallon. Ani other Variety.— 1 and 2, H. Beldon. 8, 

 E. Snell. Docks.- Bouen.— 1, E. Snell. 2. J. Newton. 3, H. B. Smith. Ayies- 

 fcurj/.-l, E. SneU. 2, J. Newton. 5, J. Booth. Any other varicty.-l and 3, J. 

 Booth. 2. H. B. Smith. Selling Class.— 1, M. Hall. 2, O. Moore. S, R. 

 Corliss. Geese.- I, E. Snell. 2, H. Beldon. 3. Dobson 4 Poander. 



PIGEONS.— PoCTBRS.—Cnp and I, E Horner. 2, J. Booth. 8. J. Baker. 

 Cabeikbs.— 1 and 2, J. Baker. 3, J. Rawnsley. Barbs.— 1 and 8, H. Yardley. 



2, J. Baker. Jacobins.— 1. E. Homer. 2 and vhc, J. Baker. 8, T Holt. 

 Dragoons —1, R. Woods. 2. A. McKenzie. 8, J. Baker, vhc, J. Booth, R. 

 ■Woods. Tdhblbbs.- Sftort/.i^fri —1 and 2. J. Baker. S, W. Harrey. ionj- 

 faeed.—l, R. Woods. 2, F. Seanor. 3, G, Lister. Fantails.-I, J, Baker. 2, 

 f. Seanor. 8, W. J. Warhnrst. Tdbbits.— 1, G. Sadler. 2, F. Seanor. 8, 

 Ward & Rhodes. Trompetebs.— 1, J. Baker. 2, J. W. Robinson. 3, W. 

 Harvey. Owls.- JSnjiijft.- 1. J. W. Stansfleld. 2. J. Thresh. 8, Ward and 

 Hhodes. Forciffn.-l and 2, Ward & Rhodes. 8, F. Seanor. Magpies.— 1, F. 

 Seanor. 2, R. Woods. 3, R. Frew. AyiTwtBra.-Short-faced.-Coek.-l, W. F. 

 Entwistle. 2, J. Kendrick. jnn. 3, J. Lister. Hen.— 1 and 3. W. V. Entwistle. 

 2, H. Yardley. Lo'ij..foc.'d.— Coc*.— 1 and 2, E. Lund. 8, S. Wade. Hen.-1,E. 

 Lund. 2, W. E. Kdwardson. 3, J. H. Bastow. MediuTn-faced.-Cock —1, B, 

 Lund. 2, J. H. Bastow. 3, W. F. Entwistle. Sen.— 1, S. Wade. 2, E. Mar. 

 shall. 8, J. Lister. Swallow.— 1 and 8, E, Horner. 2. F. Seanor. Arohanoels. 

 —1, A, Bew. 2 and 3, E. Horner. Ant other Variett.— 1, F. Seanor. 2, H. 

 Yardley. 8, E. Homer. Selling Class.— 1 and J, H. Yardley. 1, W. Harvey. 

 B, J. Baker. 



RABBITS.— LoNO-BARED.-I, W. T. Millett. 2, T. 4 E. J. Fell. 3, J, W. 

 Baron. Anqoba.- 1, S. Rnther. 2. R. MurRatroyd. 8. S. Buckley, vht, O. S, 

 Burton. Himalavan.— 1, H. E. Gilbert. 2, J. S. Wilson. 3, T. 4 E. J. Fell. 

 Ant other Vaeiett.— 1. J. Robertahaw. 2, J. H. Roberts. 8, J. Armstrong. 



CATS.— English.- JVfdie or Female.— I, E. Horner. 2, J. Armstrong. 



3cDaES.— Poultry : Mr. J. Dixon, North Park, Clayton, Brad- 

 ford ; Mr. C. W. Brierley, Prestwich, near Manchester ; Mr. P. 

 Eden, Salford. Pigeons and Babbits : Mr. J. Hawley, Girling- 

 ton, Bradford. 



THE SILVER-CREAM RABBIT. 



When writing on the Siberian Rabbit we stated that it was 

 probably not a distinct variety, bat the product of a cross be- 

 tween the Himalaya and Angora. There is some little diversity 

 of opinion upon that score, but there is no doubt whatever that 

 the Silver-Cream is not a distinct variety, but of what varieties 

 it has been extracted from it is difficult to say. The Silver-Grey 

 element is probably the strongest present, bat Silver-Grey blood 

 alone is of course insufficient to produce a Cream. We will 

 speak more of this when we have given the characteristics of 

 the variety. 



As the name indicates, this v.ariety of Rabbit is of one uni- 

 form colour — viz., a silver cream. When a perfect specimen is 

 seen considerable surprise is expressed that a Rabbit can be 

 brought to such a colour. It is certainly a very beautiful one. 

 The for is shaded somewhat in a similar manner to the Silver- 



Grey, bnt very much lighter ; in fact, there is no resemblance 

 in the actual colour, which, however, is produced by the hairs 

 being of two different colours, some dark and some light, in the 

 same way as its darker and purer-bred brother. The shade varies 

 considerably, some animals being much lighter than others. 

 The best specimens, at any rate those that carry oS the most 

 prizes, are of a pale dellca'e shade and are very much admired. 

 The desired shade can only be obtained by pairing judiciously, 

 and with every oare certainty cannot be guaranteed. The head 

 will generally be a trifle darker than the body, and this is not, 

 in the eyes of some fanciers, a drawback, provided the difference 

 in shade be not great. Others are of opinion that it is a draw- 

 back however Slight the difference. Still it is but rare that a 

 specimen is met with that is entirely uniform. The under 

 portions of the body are generally considerably lighter, the 

 belly being often quite white. This is no detriment. The ears 

 are short and upright, no lopping being permissible. This is 

 important, and the animals should be kept in an atmosphere 

 only slightly warmed, or the ears will be found to become too 

 long as the animal arrives at maturity. The head is of a fair 

 size, the nose pointed, and the eyes not very large, but full and 

 brilliant. The body is compact and well set, though not gene- 

 rallyvery large. The weightseldom exceeds.? lbs., and is often -1. 

 About a pound less than the average of the Silver-Grey may be 

 named as the mean weight of the Cream. It is thus a decidedly 

 small variety, coming about third in the scale for diminutives. 

 Diminutive Babbits are in the ascendant just now, though how 

 long they will remain so it is difiioultto say. The Silver-Cream 

 is very active and hearty, and has a neat and spruce appearance. 



The doe is fairly prolific, being about the same in this respect 

 as the Silver-Grey. The young are moderately hardy. They 

 should be taken from the doe at about two mouths, and kept in 

 a shed or building fairly warm. They will be found to silver 

 better and more quickly under these circumstances, but care 

 must be taken not to keep them too warm, or, as already men- 

 tioned, the ears will be too soft and pendant. They may be 

 kept together till about five or six months old, when they must 

 be separated, or the bucks may be taken away a month sooner. 

 In disposition they wiU be found gentle and affectionate. They 

 are about the average for disposition and hardiness, and with the 

 average amount of care they will be found to do very well. As 

 the breed is quite a new one and has only been in existence a 

 year or two, it is impossible to say exactly what financial value 

 may be attached to it. It is probable, however, that the skins 

 may be used to great advantage by furriers, and that they will be of 

 considerable value. At present no classes are offered for Silver- 

 Creams, and they have to put up with the Any variety class, in 

 which they figure pretty prominently, often taking very high 

 honours. 



It is difficult to give any directions as to how to produce the 

 variety by crossing, because a correspondence has been going on 

 in the fancy for the last year on the subject, and there seems to 

 be great diversity of opinion. At one time there was a preva- 

 lent idea that there was a good deal of Dutch blood present in 

 addition to Silver-Grey. This idea was perhaps strengthened by 

 a tendency to white noses. Others have been produced by the 

 introduction of Fawn-coloured sires to Silver-grey does. There 

 seems to be a great probability that the discussions now going on 

 will solve the question, some visits to the Jardin d'Acclimata- 

 tion at Paris by some of those interested in the question having 

 resulted in a little light being introduced. So popular does the 

 breed now appe.'ir to be, that if there is not a great falling-off 

 shortly it is destined to be one of the, if not the, most popular 

 breeds of foreign Rabbits extant. " New brooms sweep clean," 

 and old ones too sometimes ; and all fanciers, young and old, 

 will be glad to welcome a new variety in the fancy. Still it 

 would be far more satisfactory if the vexed question of breed 

 could be solved. Were the fancy a little more willing to discuss 

 questions temperately and carefully the question of the Silver- 

 Cream's extraction would soon cease to be a matter of doubt. 

 Some cases are narrated in which apparently thorough-bred 

 Silver-Greys have thrown Creams, although these are rare. It 

 should be noted, of course, that the Silver- Cream is a distinct 

 variety. We believe it breeds fairly true to colour, although 

 not invariably so by any means. 



The uncertainty with referonce to Silver-Creams gives the 

 breed a kind of charm, and the trouble necessary to approach 

 perfection makes its rearing a study well worth going into. As 

 already noted, the breed is beoomiug exceedingly popular, and 

 that popularity is increasing. — Geta. 



BiNnuBT Poultry and Pioeon Show. — We are informed that 

 there are 003 entries for this Show, which is to be held on the 

 '23rd and 24th inst. 



ARTIFICIAL COMB FOUNDATIONS. 



M.iNT of the readers of the Journal of Horticulture will re- 

 member that two years since at the Crystal Palace I exhibited a 

 method of making a guide by painting with molten wax apon a 



