February 20, 1873. i 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTUBE AND COTTAGE GABDENEB. 



171 



to disturb it, when it ia sharply ahaken, and a number of the ma-^gots will 

 fall off at once. These, of course, cau be easily collected into a pail or other 

 vessel and destroyed: but there will always bo souiolett, so that hand-picking 

 is uocessarv as well. We have heard of several bu^heU of caterpillars being 

 secured, and if this plan is found to pay tlie grower for market, who has rent 

 and all other expenses to meet, it ought U> be worth while to the private grower. 

 Nam:e8 of Plants (IF". Af.).— Daphne iudica. a greenhouse evergreen. 

 (G. f.).— We cannot name either plants from leaves, or florists' varieties. 



POULTRY, BEE, AND PIGEON OHEONIOLE. 



THE POULTRY OF 1872.— No. 3. 



I CAN say little about the Game classes, except that they have 

 well held their own ; more they could hardly do, considering 

 the perfection to which years of close competition have brought 

 all the main colours of this noble breed. I have already re- 

 marked that the Brahmas have beaten every breed of late in 

 point of mere numbers ; but it must still be said that in no 

 ■variety are there such a number of skilled and careful breeders as 

 in Game, and in no classes at any good show can such a number 

 of almost faultless birds be fouud giving rise to endless disputes 

 over the correctness of the judging. After all that has been said 

 regarding the change in style, or the difference between the old 

 fighting and the modern exhibition birds, the breeders, the 

 public, and the judges have given an unmistakeable preference 

 to the high-bred, graceful, fiue-boned modern style ; and the real 

 question seems to me to be, Do any of us really want to bring 

 back again the old cock-fighting days ? If we do not, if our 

 Game fowls are now to be preserved as exhibition and not as 

 actually fighting birds, it is utterly impossible but that some 

 amount of change should slowly aud almost imperceptibly take 

 place, for the simple reason that the handsomest bird will na- 

 turally be preferred. I have seen both kinds, and for myself I 

 prefer the modern bird ; those who wish to revive cocking may 

 think otherwise. On the whole I should be disposed to say that 

 Black Reds and Duckwings have shown the best during the past 

 season. Why no Silver Duckwings are ever shown is a mystery 

 to me, having only lately learnt that there are birds of this 

 beautiful variety still in existence; surely they would secure 

 their fair share of honours in the cock classes at least, even if 

 the dull colour of the really true-bred hen disabled tham in the 

 pairs. 



Amongst the Hamburghs I think I have seen better Silver- 

 pencils than for some time, several hens having been exhibited 

 with a rich lustrous black marking that left little to desire. The 

 other marked varieties have been much as usual, but Blacks 

 have to my fancy shown rather more of the Spanish than 

 formerly iu contour. The faces have been free from the taint, 

 but the light and graceful outline of the true-bred Hamburgh 

 has been wanting in many prize birds. 



In Polish fowls, both Gold and Silver-spangles have advanced 

 in richness and accuracy of marking, and on the whole I think 

 in popularity. But the poor White-crested Blacks seem dying 

 out; scarcely any have been shown, in fact, only one or two 

 really good pens have appeared. Delicate as they are, the loss 

 of this breed would be regretted by all. Chamois have almost 

 disappeared, but about them perhaps few would care much. 

 Moreover, they can always be " made to order " if wanted. 



Two, at least, of the French breeds are becoming more and 

 more kept. Houdans retain their place, and increase in size 

 aud weight. I may note here a curious fact. When first im- 

 ported the fifth toe was very uncertain, aud many people thought 

 it would be well to "breed it out." I myself hazarded the 

 prediction that if this toe were finally " fixed " in the breed 

 we should have bumblefoot, having long made up my mind 

 that the affection in Dorkings was owing to this cause, and could 

 not possiljly be accounted for by the accidental ones usually 

 alleged. Having had the curiosity to watch the result, I hear on 

 almost all hands that bumblefoot is now appearing in the 

 Houdan race, though unknown at the first, when the abnormal 

 toe was less general, and hence we see the connection between 

 the weakness of functiou and the excess of growth, a counection 

 Bo frequent as to be well known to physiologists. Creve-Cceurs 

 have gained ground immensely, have improved in freedom from 

 foul feathers, and according to information kindly furnished me 

 by various breeders, also in hardiness : in fact, they seem at last 

 to be becoming acclimatised, which at one time appeared very 

 doubtful indeed. La Fluche appears a hopcsless case. 



Glancing briefly at less popular breeds, Malays seem to me to 

 have established a marked advance. More of them have been 

 shown, and at least one hen has appeared on the scene which 

 honestly deserves to be called large. We may see the old Malay 

 again yet ! and if we do it will be much more popular than the 

 little weedy things which have lately passed by that name. 

 Sultans aud Silkies have both shown a tendency to come into 

 fashion. The White American Leghorn has firmly established 

 its footing, and deserves it, as one of the best if not the very best 

 of layers known. It lays as well as the Hamburgh, but a much 



larger egg, and is hardier and more adapted to moderate confine- 

 ment. I notice a tendency to breed it with pale and short legs ; 

 this should be guarded against, spoiling the beauty of the fowl 

 completely. Plymouth Rocks have also made their appearance 

 on one or two occasions, and seem rather likely to be popular — 

 I hardly know why, being inferior in my opinion to the Do- 

 minique, which is in less favour ; indeed, in what the Rocks 

 differ from tall, smooth-legged Cuckoo Cochins it would be hard 

 to say. They are, however, hardy and " generally useful " birds, 

 and if they obtain a recognised place no one will grudge it them. 



Game Bantams still advance, being more like Game, and less 

 like other Bantams in shape every year, indeed, a bird not 

 genuine Game iu character would now stand a hopeless chance. 

 I think the young birds, iu fact, can hardly perhaps be bred 

 better; but even the best in most cases get " stumpy " the se- 

 cond season and lose the gamey look which is so fascinating. 

 In this direction there is still much to be done, and it is being 

 done ; for more old birds were shown with the required points 

 than I can ever remember. I once thought it hopeless, but I 

 now yet expect to see them so improved that the old birds shall 

 keep their shape aud carriage like the real Game, of which they 

 are the miniatures. 



In other Bantams we have had a new Dark Japanese variety, 

 said to be very hardy and a good breeder. Cochins seem dying 

 out, which is a pity, as the queer little creatures were always 

 popular. Why don't the few who have them cross into some- 

 ting else and back again, and so restore the prolifacy and vigour 

 of the strain ? Blacks have made giant strides. I have seen 

 almost thirty entries in a class, and winning has become difficult 

 indeed. Whites have increased too, and often claim a class to 

 themselves ; but the Rev. F. Tearle still, like a veritable Comte 

 de Chambord, holds his "white flag" aloft with proud defiance. 

 But I sigh for a breed I lased to love, and keep in days gone 

 by, though never then an exhibitor — the exquisite White-booted 

 Bantam. I saw it once and only once last year. Let every 

 man have his fancy, the world is wide. But to my eye the 

 White-booted Bantam, with his quaint little ways, is the nicest 

 little pet of the lot. He wi'-l stand and cock his head at yon 

 like a Canary, and he is almost the only bird you can trust 

 in a garden. As to the Sebrights, the Golds have been getting 

 so large, that while the lacing is all that could be, if care be not 

 taken they will soon not be Bantams at all. Silvers, real Silvers, 

 it has often been said have disappeared. This season the aver- 

 age colour has been worse than ever, and on one occasion I saw 

 two pens side by side, one called Silver, the other Gold with 

 not a shade between them. It may have been a mistake, but it 

 was at worst not a very exaggerated statement of the case. On 

 the other hand, some half dozen times there have been shown 

 pens of Silvers really startling in their clear white ground, and 

 also with more blue in the earlobe than I can remember seeing 

 for long. Let us only hope they may increase and multiply. 



I know little, or it may be better to say nothing, about Water- 

 fowl and Turkeys, at least while alive, it would therefore be pre- 

 sumption to make any remarks. If anybody sends me one dead I 

 will discuss it in my best manner. What I have said on other 

 matters also is no doubt open to criticism, especially as it is 

 founded almost entirely upon the classes at the few great shows, 

 but I have given my honest opinion as to our progress or other- 

 wise in poultry matters, as exempUfied by the show season o£ 

 1872.— L. Weight. 



OUR ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF POULTRY. 



This is au event not to be smiled at nor even lightly re- 

 garded. I can assure you it is an affair of great importance, 

 and is conducted in a manner that reflects the highest credit on 

 everybody. 



From the time of its commencement in the morning till the 

 last crow of the last departing "chanticleer" dies away in the 

 distance at evening, we have an unsettled feeling that some- 

 thing other than the usual market and occasional brass band is 

 going on. Covered carts and mysterious hampers excite our 

 curiosity — groups of carriers (a class easily distinguishable) 

 converse or " hold forth," on the respective merits of themselves, 

 their horses, and the return journey. Early iu the morning you 

 would be certain to meet clean little boys with curiously con- 

 structed boxes that would hold, say, a rabbit, side by side with 

 tidy little girls, with blue noses and white pinafores, carrying 

 what might be a cage, but all wearing such a " first-prize " air 

 of expectation that it would be nothing short of refined cruelty 

 to suggest even the possibility of " only a second." Then 

 about noon our omnibus begins to be very busy. We have no 

 cabs in our Httle town. Cabs, especially hansoms, savour of 

 gaiety, rapid transit, &o. ; either of these are abominations. 

 Still we are unmistakeably improving, for hitherto 10s. has been 

 the highest award at our poultry show ; this year, however, 20.s. 

 was the prize offered for the best pen of Brahmas— a compli- 

 ment they acknowledged by mustering somo excellent specimens ; 

 and your"" special correspondent " more than ever bewailed the 

 mournful fact that the handsomest bird she possessed should go 



