February 6, 1873. ] 



JOURNAL OF HOETICULTTJRE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



129 



Unless yon can point ont some very good reason, I think the 

 advice you have given (you must excuse me), is unfortunate. 

 What are the chemical properties of an oyster shell ? No doubt 

 you know, but most certainly the oyster shells I get contain 

 what my hens, and the hens of several other friends who would 

 not now on any account discontinue their use, want ; and as we 

 all look up to you as the authority in poultry matters, and I am 

 quite ready to admit, not without reason, we, myself and friends, 

 would like to know why you condemn oyster shells ? — Oysteb 

 Shell.. 



[Our answers to those who seek our advice are based upon the 

 details stated by our correspondents. In the case you refer to 

 the question was. What caused ill-flavoured eggs ? and as there 

 was nothing objectionable in the food given to the fowls, and 

 the only things that might disagree with them were the powdered 

 oyster shells, we advised these to be discontinued. Oyster shells, 

 besides carbonate of lime, contain 31 per cent, of animal matter, 

 and we know of poultry whose eggs tasted fishy from having 

 seashore refuse given daUy. In your case we think powdered 

 oyster sheUs had the credit of the cure which the lime rubbish 

 began, and would have completed if continued. Where lime 

 rubbish or powdered chalk could not be obtained, we should give 

 Gur fowls powdered oyster shells. — Eds.] 



JUDGING SILVEB-GREY DORKINGS. 



I ill sorry this subject has not been more freely discussed in 

 your Journal, and that the Judges have not given us their 

 views upon it. The necessity for some new standard of ex- 

 cellence is more apparent than ever, after the decisions at the 

 Maidstone Show. Tour report of that Show as regards SUver- 

 <jrey Dorkings, says that " This class was so indiUerent that 

 we shall soon have to exclude the breed altogether from our 

 shows in the south of England, where they seem to obtain little 

 favour." Now, it is very remarkable that amongst the birds 

 exhibited at Maidstone were the bird which took the first prize 

 at the Crystal Palace, and the second and third-prize pullets at 

 the same place, not one of which was even commended at Maid- 

 stone. Such judging I declare to be simply ridiculous. The 

 Maidstone Committee, moreover, excluded the Silver-Grey Dork- 

 ings altogether from competition for the cups, and then wonder 

 that the entries are not more numerous ! Let the committees of 

 poultry shows in the south of England be as liberal to exhibitors 

 of this beautiful class of fowls as they are to other classes, and 

 they will secure plenty of entries ; and let the judges issue a 

 standard of excellence, and exhibitors will know what to expect. 

 — Thomas E. Cato, Wye Vicarage. 



CAN MERE COMPANIONSHIP WITH ANOTHER 

 VARIETY AFFECT THE OFFSPRING? 



I HAVH bought some very pure-bred Light Brahmas, and have 

 given over keeping Dorkings, of which breed I retain two hens 

 for the present, on account of their well-known early sitting 

 propensities, in order to have some early hatchings. Would 

 there be any danger in letting these two hens run with the 

 Brahmas ? Do you think it would affect the cockerel and spoil 

 the strain ? I have been assured by a well-known breeder of 

 Light Brahmas, who kept a few Game Bantams with his other 

 birds, that the Brahmas threw foul-marked chicks while the 

 Bantams where in sight, and never did so before, nor since ha 

 has parted with the Bantams. Mixing was, of course, out of 

 the question, but he is of opinion that fowls are affected by the 

 sight of various objects. — Light Bbahma. 



[Experience as regards this mysterious subject varies, pro- 

 bably owing to different characters of birds. In very many cases 

 no influence oan be traced, from which persons whose experience 

 is limited have rashly concluded that none exists. But wa 

 hiave known and heard of many cases in which such influence 

 was most clearly traceable. The probability in any given case 

 is decidedly against ill-results, but there is no certainty. Why 

 not in this particular instance try White Dorking hens ? — Eds.] 



NoBTHAiiPTOn PocLTBT Show. — The Schedule of prizes is very 

 liberal, twenty-three silver cups being offered, and in each case 

 the value of the cups can be had in money if preferred. There 

 are twenty-three classes for poultry, and most of the birds will 

 be shown singly, as will be the Pigeons, in which section there 

 are twenty classes. There are ten classes for Rabbits, and eight 

 for Cats, and the entry fees on the whole are moderate. In the 

 case of Babbits each entry is entitled to one vote for the Judge. 



Bkadtoiid Pigbok Show. — ^We have received a schedule of 

 this approaching Exhibition. Judging from the array of cups 

 and prizes it ought to be one of the most successful of the year. 

 The cups are given to nearly every two classes of the same 

 breed, with three money prizes in each class. The best pen in 



the Show has its cup increased in value to five guineas, while a 

 ten-guinea cup is offered to the winner of the most points, and a 

 cup for the most points in the Antwerp and common Tumbler 

 classes is also given ; but this does not exclude these classes 

 from counting for the larger cups. The Variety class has a cup 

 to itself, as have also the Selling classes. The schedule is, with 

 the exception of one Selling class, for single birds. A separate 

 class is made for the new style of Trumpeters, so that the old 

 style of bird may once more distinguish itself. 



RAILWAY CHARGES. 



ExHiBiTOBS who, like myself, were wrongfully charged for the 

 transmission of poultry to and from the Maidstone Show, may 

 benefit by knowing that by lodging a complaint with the general 

 manager I have had the extra charge returned. Some companies 

 are liberal enough to return free, over their lines, all unsold 

 specimens. The South-Eastern Railway Company not only do 

 not approve of this, but in my case, and in that of another ex- 

 hibitor whom I know, made an addition to the ordinary charge 

 for the return journey. I hear from the Secretary of the Maid- 

 stone Show that he has received many complaints ot the South- 

 Eastern Railway Company's excessive charges, and I have 

 thought it well to call public attention to the matter, in order 

 that others may, if they please, obtain like redress with myself. 

 —J. G. B. Knight. 



DEVIZES POULTRY AND PIGEON SHOW. 



This Show was held on January 28th and 29th, under the 

 management of amateurs of long experience ; the whole of the 

 plans were carried out with remarkable punctuality. Than the 

 Devizes Corn Exchange, in which the Show took place, no build- 

 ing need be desired of greater capabilities for displaying to ad- 

 vantage the valuable specimens in competition. We may add, 

 the feeding and general attention bestowed on the birds was 

 most praiseworthy. 



Dorkingi, except Silver-Grey, headed the list, and consisted 

 of ten very creditable entries. Mr. John Martin was first with 

 his well-known rosy-combed pen. Among the other pens were 

 some of the finest hens we have seen during the past season, 

 but many of the cocks were sadly out of feather. In the Dork- 

 ing class for Silver-Greys or Whites, Messrs. Wren & Page took 

 the Dorking cup with a grand pen of Silver-Greys of great merit, 

 and shown in high condition. In the Cochins the Buffs and 

 ■Whites were decidedly the best shown, the Partridge-feathered 

 being a very Ul-conditioned class throughout. Mr. W. A. Taylor 

 here secured the cup with a pen of Buffs ihat require a short 

 rest before they will meet the public view in the robust health 

 they possessed a short time back. The Brahmas, though heavy 

 classes, were not nearly equal to anticipation; but a very finely- 

 conditioned pen of Light-feathered ones, exhibited by Mr. J 

 Rodbard, obtained the silver cup. The Spanish, with the ex- 

 ception of the three priae pens, were an ill-assorted class, most 

 of them being out of condition, and not a few decidedly un- 

 healthy. In Oamt fowls Mr. Samuel Matthew, of Stowmarket, 

 was very successful with splendid specimens, shown in the very 

 height of condition and feather. Mr. Stagg's coUectiou of Game 

 birds was also very creditable. We much regretted to see among 

 the Game, some otherwise first-class fowls with the ear-covers 

 (not ear-lobes) out completely off, leaving the orifice fuUy ex- 

 posed, without any protection whatever ; it proved hideous to 

 the eye, and in severe weather could not be otherwise than 

 highly prejudicial to the health of the fowls thus cruelly muti- 

 lated. Hamhurghs and Polandi were much better classes than 

 those of former years, but it was in the French and Malay fowls 

 more especially that marked progress was apparent. Creve- 

 Cceurs were abundant, and of general good quality; several pens 

 of La Fl^che were also exhibited. In the Variety class were 

 good specimens of Sultans, Black Minorcas, White Leghorns, 

 Scotch-Greys, and Plymouth Rock fowls. Of the Bantams, the 

 Sebrights, Booted Black, and Black Red Game were the be.st 

 varieties, but these classes were not large in numbers. Only 

 four pens of Aylesbury Ducks competed, but all of them were 

 very good. In Black East Indian, Mr. Sainsbury proved the 

 excellence of his breed of this notably beautiful variety by secur- 

 ing the silver cup, first and second prizes, and two high com- 

 mendations, with an entry of four pens. Among the remaining 

 pens of this breed, it being a strong class, were some excellent- 

 plumaged birds, but far beyond the standard size allowable in 

 this breed. A truly interesting Variety Duck class was most 

 attractive, and as the day was one of bright clear sunshine 

 throughout, the splendid colour of their plumage was seen to 

 great advantage. Heavy Selling classes brought together nume- 

 rous buyers, and many really cheap lots were entered. 



The Pigeons, of which the entries this year showed a great in- 

 crease, were admirably placed on the top of the single tier of 

 poultry pens, so that they could be inspected with comfort by 

 everyone, most of these classes being unexceptionably good. 



A specially advantageous rula of allowing he fortunate 



