March 12, 1868. ] 



JOUBNAIi OF HORTICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



213 



for exhibition. I tried to get Bomo opinion from you a few 

 weeks ago aa to the honesty of trimming Spanish fowls' faces 

 for exhibition. I hope, therefore, if attention is called to the 

 one, the other will nut bo neglected ; it is a question of great 

 importance, as tender-conscienced exhibitors have not the 

 same advantage as those who are not so ; and, again, a person 

 may purchase a fowl trusting to the honesty of the owner, and 

 after a few weeks have the mortification of seeing feathers 

 come abundantly, and this from a prize fowl. I liave been 

 dealt with like this myself, so do not bring forward an imagi- 

 nary case. It tends, too, to degenerate the breeds, and to bring 

 poultry-breeding to a low level. Under these circumstances I 

 hope yon will give your assistance in sifting the case. — A. H. D. 

 [We do not think it necessary to repeat our often-expressed 

 condemnation of tho practice; but as you ask us so to do, we 

 again say that we consider any trimming of a fowl, except the 

 recognised dubbing of Game fowls, is dishonest. That this is 

 the opinion of poultry judges is evidenced by their disqualify- 

 ing trimmed birds when the trimming is detected. — Eds.] 



UNION OF THE PHILOPERISTERON AND THE 

 NATIONAL COLUMBARIAN SOCIETIES. 



The amalgamation of the above Societies has long been looked 

 forward to as a means of establishing the Pigeon fancy generally, 

 and in the metropolis particularly, on a firmer and more c^'m- 

 prehonsive basis. The following Keport, called for by both In- 

 stitutions, has supplied a bond of union, and has been unani- 

 mously adopted : — 



Gentlemen, — It will be in the recollectiou of many members of 

 the Philoperisterou and the National Cohimbavian Societies, that for 

 some time past a growiuf^ feeling of dissatisfaction lias been manifested, 

 not only in regard to the objects and constitution of their Societies 

 and other institntions of kindred character, but also in reference to a 

 variety of matters incidental to Pigeon culture generally. Some form 

 and consistence has been given to this feeling by the late discussions 

 introduced, after due notice, at both Societies, on the subjects of esta- 

 blishing the Pif:;eou fancy in London on a reorganised basis, and the 

 desu'ability of forming one general Society with a more comprehensive 

 constitution. These discussions resulted in the appointment of a 

 joint Committee, representing both the leading:; metropolitan Societies 

 and every practical department of Piston culture ; Messrs. Esquilant, 

 Wicking. and Percivall acting for the rhiloperisterou Society : Messrs. 

 Jones, Ord, and Jayne for the National Columbarian Society ; and 

 Messrs. Betty, Merck, and Volckmau for both Societies. 



Your Committee, then, in approaching their interesting duties, and 

 in endeavoniing to report and advise on the basis on which it would be 

 desirable to amalgamate the old Societies or erect a new one, have 

 found it imperative brielly to review the modem history- of Pigeon 

 culture, especially on the side of its public relations and estimation. 



It will not be beyond the memory of many esteemed fanciers, that 

 years ago a stigma most intolerant and degrading was affixed to any 

 and every matter in connection with Pif^eon-fancyinf;;, — a stigma, 

 indeed, not wholly unreasonable in view of the low associations and 

 merely pot-house character with which this artistic recreation was 

 then encumbered. But under the worst of circumstances this natural- 

 istic department was never left without a few persevering votaries \nih. 

 courage enough to scorn mere prejudice, and energy more than suffi- 

 cient to rescue theu" pastime from every possible reproach — gentlemen 

 whose society we yet enjoy, and to whom we owe it that we can I'csent 

 as an impertinence any and eveiT' attempt to ignore our pretensions to 

 the same standing and consideration conceded to floricnlture and 

 other amusements of similar character. Whatever, therefore, of mere 

 blackguardism, dishonesty, or equivocal association once existed (or in 

 a degi'ee may still exist), the elements of reform were never wholly 

 wanting. 



Nor will it bo matter for sm*prise that such improvement when em- 

 bodied took a form highly consei-vative, exclusive, and re-aclionary. 

 Under the cu-cumstances this was but natural, and was clearly necessi- 

 tated by those adverse conditions to which your Committee have re- 

 fen"ed. 



Tho formation of the Philoperisterou Society just twenty-one yeai's 

 ago was the first embodiment of such refoim. And the Committee 

 would here remark, that the vei-y first experience of this Institution 

 demonstrates unmistakeably the necessity for the reform itself, and 

 illustrates to the utmost tho low estimation in which Pigeon culture 

 and Pigeon-fanciers were held ; for with whatever ease the Society 

 'took to itself a " name," its search for a "local habitation " was by no 

 means so successful. That a Pigeon-fancier should aspire to the 

 society of gentlemen (even the gentlemen of a third-class hotel), was 

 effrontery too daring, impudence too intolerable ; thus, members of the 

 highest respectabihty, who to-day are assembled in the wide-renowned 

 " Freemasons," were hustled rather than bowed out of many a tavern 

 in which they sought the convenience of a room for their monthly 

 meetings — many a place, indeed, which now would not be considered 

 eligible for our present purposes or position. 



It would be Buperiinoufl to recite the oft-told history of the Philo- 

 peristerou Society : suffice it to say, that its constitution and labours 

 effected a substantial and p-owinR, though not a rapid, refomi ; sup- 

 ]iliod the means of social intercourse amongst rcspectablo fanciers, 

 and won a measure; of public esteem never before accorded to V'l^ton 

 culture or its votaries. In tho practical department the Society has 

 fostered and expanded the taste of fanciers, and its members have bred 

 and exhibited the choicest specimens ever seen in almost every variety 

 of Pigeons. 



Perhaps, however, the surest indication of success may be found in 

 the fact that the Society, in some measure, may bo looked upon as a 

 parent Society ; for the impetus it pave to tho whole sul)]ect developed 

 the necessity for a yet more inclnsive association, and the gi'owing 

 necessities of metropolitan fanciers at last found their answer in the 

 formation of the National Columbarian Society, a Society in many 

 ways thoroughly worthy of its ancestry, and several of whose members 

 are members of both Societies. 



We are now brought to a review of the present position of fanciers 

 and their art in public esteem. 



Although it must be conceded that very great advances have been 

 made, especially on the score of tone and respectability, and although 

 our recreation is not simply tolerated, but is widely and generally 

 approved and admired, yet such advances in the higher senses of the 

 term are still largely undeveloped, and much that is equivocal remains 

 for redress or discouragement. This is evident in the fact, that num- 

 bers of fanciers, gentlemen and even ladies of intelligence, enthusiasm, 

 position, and liberality, still hold aloof from any recognised or cor- 

 ]iorate relations with their brother fanciers. Reasons for this may be 

 found in abundance. It is not that any social stigma any longer 

 attaches to us or our objects — that has long ago been rectified. It is 

 because we are failing to interest and failing in many ways to complete 

 the reformation so worthily begun. 



This, again, will be very apparent on comparison of Pigeon culture 

 and Pigeon societies with other L-indred amusements — for instance, 

 floriculture, horticulture, Szc. These departments of naturalistic re- 

 creation are progressive, intelligent, scientific, and developed in 

 character. They can boast a literature and detail of great import- 

 ance ; their Societies are invested with many and varied features of 

 interest, and, therefore, are in the highest degi-ee attractive and in- 

 fluential. 



Pigeon culture, on the other hand, although of most ancient date, 

 althongh of eminent interest and enthusiastically practised, still lacks 

 almost evei-y element of progressive success. As yet it is essentially 

 undeveloped, unscientific, wanting in dignity and intelligence, boasting 

 no literature of adequate extent, character, or accuracy. It is failing 

 to utilise the immense resources of interest which it commands, it is 

 still disgraced by many associations more than questionable, and still 

 lacks, therefore, those incentives to corporate union which have done 

 so much for the advancement, repute, and influence of kindred 

 Societies. 



Your Committco are of opinion that these evils are intensified by 

 the division into two Societies of a constituency far too small to bear 

 sub-dividing at all ; and they are further of opinion that while such 

 division exists, no purpose, however desirable, can be effectively pur- 

 sued, in consequence of the inherent weakness incident to such division. 



Your Committee feel, too, that little or no excuse exists for so dis- 

 united a policy. A large number of members are common to both 

 Societies ; the constitution, objects, and practices of both Institutions 

 are identical. Much complaint, too, very reasonably arises on the 

 score of loss of time and expenditure. A gentleman anxious to be on 

 terms of acquaintance with the leading metropoUtan fanciers must 

 now join two societies, pay two subscriptions, attend double the number 

 of meetings, exhibit every bird twice, at probably much inconvenience 

 to himself if not injury to his stud. 



The results are obvious. Although the subscriptions are paid readily 

 enough, their division into two distinct funds renders them almost 

 inoperative for good. Both Societies suffer in many other ways. Meet- 

 ings are shora of almost every feature of interest, are badly attended, 

 Ijii-ds are not sho^vn, papers cannot be read, discussions are not intro- 

 duced. The allegiance of members being thus divided and weakened, 

 a general blankness and lukewarmncss i>revail, and becoming more 

 and more irksome. 



It is high time, therefore, to inaugurate a more trenchant and united 

 policy, and your Committee can see no reason why a system more 

 progressive should not supersede the present condition of stagnation 

 and inaction. Why, they inquire, should there not be facilities, as in 

 the domains of floriculture, for the introduction of more improving 

 elements ? Are we so far ahead that there is nothing left for a Huxley, 

 a Dai-win, or an Owen to teach us ? Have we, even in the humbler 

 departments of our recreation, so completely exhausted eveiy field of 

 interest, that there is nothing left for investigation, and no items of 

 mischief for redi'ess or eradication ? In an age when even recreation 

 itself is expected to include some features of intelligence and worth, 

 your Committee are of opinion that fanciers will not be true to them- 

 stdves if thev omit to enlarge the basis of their union, or to place them- 

 selves on a level with the patrons of other naturalistic pastimes. 



And this brings us directly to a consideration of the means it is 

 desirable to adopt in order to give renewed vigour to our present In- 

 stitutions. On this subject your Committee have formed veiy decided 

 opinions, and are prepared respectfully to offer most earnest advice. 



