December 3, 1888. ] 



JOUBNAIi OP HOiVriOULTURB AND COTTAGK QAKDRNER. 



427 



Bizty-toar, for "British Bree'e Boarding-hosae," read "British Hotel, 

 Bree'B Boardiug-hoase, &c.'* 



Names o>- Fruits (M. D. M.).—l, Lemon Pippin ; 22, B.5, and 62, Kini,' 

 Ol the Pippins ; 86 and 47, Golden Husset ; 61, 1'uBrn's Pippin ; 57, Adams' 



Pearmain ; 69, Golden Noble ; 60. Lamb Abbey Pearmain ; 61, Datcb 

 Mignouuo ; 60, Caraway Kusaet ; 77. Court of Wick. 



Namk of Plant (i. AT.).— Your Orchid appears to be Epidendiam 

 pbo^ulceum. 



METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS in the Subnrbs of London for the week ending December Ist. 



POULTRY, BEE, and nOUSEHOLB CHROIIIGLE. 



THE BIRMINGHAM POULTRY SHOW. 



This is indeed become an accompli.sbed fact. Things are 

 altered since the time vAen there ^vas any one intereiled in 

 poultry who wa6 not familiar with B ngley Hall — who could not, 

 when the name was mentioned, immediately figure to himself 

 the long rows of pens, the crowds of eager eyes looking at the 

 numbers, and trying to tee them and the prize list at the same 

 time, the varied faces showing every feeling from great joy to 

 the most inteuEe disappointment, and the growing crowd 

 augmented by the anival of each tr.iin during the day, till at 

 last progress becomes almost impossible, and motion is often 

 confined to surging and swaying, which are easily seen from 

 either end of the row. It is well that, with few exceptions, all 

 have a common object in view, and are there on holiday foot- 

 ing, in company with those who have congenial tastes. Any- 

 thing like a dili'erence of opinion in two sections of a crowd 

 confined to one of thefe narrow passages would be terrible. 

 Eetreat or advance would be impo.ssible, and a sawpit for a duel 

 would give elbow-room compared with it. The excellent manage- 

 ment of this Show, and the favour it meets with at the hands 

 of the public, have caused the entries to increase yearly, until 

 there is not sufficient accommodation for competitors. Already 

 means have been taken to lessen the numbers of entries, and the 

 apace allotted to them has been enlarged, but the cry is still 

 "they come," and at this meeting three paities would be 

 justified in asking for a change ; they would be the birds, the 

 public, and the exhibitors. Some want more light, others more 

 Epace. There was not room for the public between the rows 

 of pens. The Council and managers of this great Show are 

 not only anxious to please the public, but during their triple 

 apprenticeship of twenty-one years they have gained so much 

 experience in doing so, that we have no doubt they will adopt 

 snob measures as will meet all objectors. 



We must leave some detaiU for next week. The time at 

 which we go to press compels us to close our report after the 

 first day of the Show. It was thronged to excess throughout. 

 In our next number we shall be able to give the statistics of 

 the meeting, the sales, and many other particulars. We must 

 for the present confine ourselves to the remarks called for by 

 the different classes. 



There were 395 pens of Dorkintfs. Mr. Statter, the Dnchess of 

 Newcastle, Mrs. Arkwriglit, the Hon. H. Fitzwilliam, Admiral Hornby, 

 Messrs. Lingwood, Patten, and Newton all deserved the laurels they 

 gained. It would have been gratifying to the Judges had they been 

 able to give prizes to all the highly commended birds. They deserved 

 them. These names refer to the cocks only, but the same, with few 

 exceptions, iigure among the prizetakers for hens and pallets. The 

 Duchess of Newcastle showed beautiful hens, and very heavy. The 

 Hon. H. Fitzwilliam took three prizes. Admiral Hornby carried off 

 the piece of plate for the best pullets, with two perfect birds weighing 

 17 lbs. 



Eight prizes were awarded without difficulty to Silver-Greys. No 

 lack of birds of faultless size, symmetry, and feather. Mr. Smalley's 

 bird was unusually good. Ladies Dartmouth and Bagot deserve the 

 same mention. Messrs. Burn, Longland, and Holt were deservedly 

 fiaccessful, and there was less difference in weight between the Silver- 

 Greys and others than we have ever before noted. Mr. John Kobinsou 

 is always at home among the White Dorkjngs, but Mi's. Hartwell and 

 Mr. CBoyce distanced him in cocks. 



31*2 pens of CorJmis. They were good classes. They have nearly 

 arrived at their limit, apparently, and exhibitors must be content to 

 "rest and be thankful." The firet prize for cocks went to Messrs. 

 Taylor and Dawes ; for hens and pullets, to the former gentleman. 

 Mr. Howard Mapplebeck was the largest prizetaker in these classes. 

 His name figures seven times in the prize list. Messrs. Julius Sichel, 

 Beasley, Taylor, Fell, and Hale showed excellent sjjeeimens. Brown 

 and Partridge afforded another triumph to Mr. Tudman, who carried 

 oil a piece of plate given for the best bird. The cocks in these classes 

 were more than meritorious. Many of the x^ullets were also good, bnt 

 others were too yellow. 



Stimulated by a piece of plate as an extra prize, the White showed 

 in their best form. We have seldom seen so many birds that required 

 close judging. The principal honours belong to Sir. Smalley, divided 

 with Mrs. WilUamsou and Messrs. SwiudoU, Taylor, and Lamb. 



'23'2 peas of BraJimiis. We cannot help thinking of the time when 

 it was doubtful whether these birds would ever make a class. There 

 were doubts whether they were a pure breed, but they have outlived 

 their tradncers, and now form one of the largest classes. Beautiful 

 specimens were plentiful. Mrs. Hurt and the Hon. Miss D. Pennant 

 were among the most successful. The Duke of Newcastle exhibited 

 a beautiful bird, that deservedly took a first prize. Messrs. Sabin, 

 Leech, .Jopp, Wright, Colonel Bagot Lane, and Mr. Boyle distin- 

 guished themselves worthily. Some of the hens and pullets showed 

 a brown shade on the feathers that is objectionable. The Light birds 

 have now made a second and large class. A piece of plate was offered 

 for the first prize, and gained by Mr. Mayuard, of the Isle of Wight. 

 Mr. Crook, who gave the plate, took first prize for hens, also the 

 second. Mr. Dowsett showed well, taking two prizes. We thought 

 highly of Mr. Crowley's birds. It is impossible to name all that 

 deseiwe mention, but we speak well of the class, merely warning exhi- 

 bitors against vnlture hocks. 



Malays fall off ; only seven pens that call for no particular 

 mention. 



The introduction of new breeds that a short time since only showed 

 in the " varieties " brings ns to the Cn'vc-Cmurs. They were really 

 good, large, and handsome birds. Seventeen pens figured in the prize 

 list. Mr. Zurhorst took first and a piece of plate. Mr. Blinkhora 

 was very successful. The hens and pullets were hardly so good as 

 the cocks. Iloudans again have held their own. Sixteen pens were 

 distinguished by the Judges, and here the hens and pullets were better 

 than the cocks : but we must except Mr. Wood's, of which we thought 

 highly. Mr. Heald had the greatest success, and deseiwedly. La 

 Fliche showed poorly in numbers and merit, and we do not believe 

 they will hold their own. 



The beautiful Spanish were the same as ever, and many of the 

 birds were of the pure type ; smooth, good, white faces, without the 

 cauliflower ridges that amount to a defect. The Hon. Miss Pennant 

 and Mr. Eodbard took the prizes for cocks with beautiful birds. Misses 

 Hyde and Beldon, and Mr. Teebay merit the mention they obtained. 



Another new class — of Black Ilamhurghs. Four^' en mentions. Most 

 of the prizes went to Mr. Kilvert. These birds arc very beautiful. 

 We can speak most highly of all the Hambnrghs. The pencilling of 

 the Golden variety was perfect, every feather, to the tip of the tail, 

 was accurately marked. The list must speak for us, or we shall 

 exceed our limits. Mr. Pickles deserved his prize and piece of plate, 

 and many of the commended were worthy of higher honours. Messrs. 

 Hyde and Beldon each took first and cups. Messrs. Pickles,' Brierley, 

 Leeming, and Pitts were all deservedly distinguished. Miss Wakeman 

 showed two beautiful birds in the hen and pullet class. 



Polish fowls in every class were above the average. The Black 

 with white crests were perfect, and Mr. Shaw's birds deserve every 

 praise. The Golden were more numerous and almost as good, Mr. 

 Harvey tlid here as Mr. Shaw did before him. Mr. Williams showed 

 well. SUver were more numerous than they have been for many 

 years, and were a long triumph for Mr. Adkius. 



There are not prizes enough for the " Variety Class." Lady 



