252 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ March 20, 1873. 



room. Witness sent one of her children after it, when the de- 

 fendant seized hold of the hen. The child called out, " Mother, 

 Mrs. Coffey is cutting off the chicken's head." Witness rushed 

 to the door, when the defendant threw the hen out of the house, 

 and said, " I'll serve you the same." Witness then picked up the 

 chicken, and found that the comh had heen entirely cut off, and 

 the poor thing was almost hliuded in hlood. (Witness liere pro- 

 duced the hen for his Worship's inspection, and it was in a fright- 

 ful state.) EUzabeth Jane Seager, 10 years of age, daughter of 

 the last witness, said she saw the hen fly into the defendant's 

 house. She ran after it, when Mrs. Coffey snatched up the 

 chicken, and taking a knife off the table commenced cutting its 

 head. In answer to the charge the defendant said the fowls 

 caused a great nuisance by always rushing into her house. Mr. 

 Partridge told het he had no doubt she had committed this 

 ■wicked and deliberate act of brutality. He sentenced her to two 

 mouths' hard labour at Wandsworth House of Correction, with- 

 out the option of paying a line. 



THE JUDGING OP POUTERS AT BE.IDFORD 



-\ND NORTHAMPTON SHOWS. 

 I .\ji quite at a loss to iinderstand the difference in the Judges' 

 opinions of the Pouter hens at the above Shows. I showed a 

 Red Pouter hen at Bradford, where she was very highly com- 

 mended ; Mrs. Ladd showed two White hens, but they were not 

 mentioned. I sent the Red hen the next week to Northampton, 

 where she was not even commended, whilst Mrs. Ladd was first 

 and second with the same two hens that were not mentioned at 

 Bradford. Can anyone inform me if there are any standard 

 points by which to judge Pouters, or is it a mere matter of 

 ■fancy? 'The hen I showed took the first prize and cup at Glasgow 

 this year for Pouter hens any age, in the Black, Blue, and Bed 

 or Yellow classes, and (as she is much fresher than she was then) 

 I cannot understand how it was that she did not get even a 

 commendation at Northampton, as the Pouters shown at Glas- 

 gow were considered to be the best lot ever brought together in 



Scotland. 



X should feel much obliged if some of the Judges would kindly 

 let me know the points by which to judge Pouters, so that in 

 future I may know whether I am buying a good bird or not. — 



William Bidlev, Hexham. 



MOTTLED TUMBLERS. 

 Mb. Fobd, than whom no fancier is better able to speak on 

 the subject, has called in question the answer given in the 

 Journal for March 6th on the colour of Mottled Tumblers. The 

 gentleman who put the question also sends another line on the 

 subject. I wlU frankly own that in writing the reply to Mr. T. 

 Moore I had not, being absent from home, Eaton's work to refer 

 to. I there find that the model bird has a mottled back. But 

 that it is an open question, or, at least, one ou which some 

 fanciers hold one view and some another. I must refer to the 

 large work entitled " Pigeons," published by Messrs. Boutledge 

 in 18G8, just ten years after Eaton's, and in it the Black Mottles, 

 particularly the upper one of the two, in the picture have no 

 white at all on the back ; and in the body of the work, jjage 112, 

 it is written, " Mottles have a dark ground, black, red, or yellow, 

 and occasionally dun, slightly mottled with white on the wings, 

 and sometimes also ou the back." I own I prefer them without 

 the white feathers on the back, but it is all, of course, fancy, and 

 fancy is changeable ; but I think the birds look neater without 

 the handkerchief back. — The One who Wrote the Answer. 



THE RABBITS AT NORTHAMPTON. 



The fact that 1G2 pens of probably the finest specimens in the 

 country were collected together was a sight for the admirer of 

 the Rabbit varieties. At Northampton the entries for Babbits 

 were more numerous than at any other show. More Babbits 

 have been collected probably, but in pairs, and in reference to 

 these in question as a whole they were a decidedly good and 

 valuable collection. To particularise would be a pleasurable 

 duty if our space would admit. 



The Lops, Self-coloured (uine entries), were clear and almost 

 faultless in their respective markings, and the Sooty Fawn buck 

 may be considered an almost perfect specimen, and for such 

 attributes the cup was his reward. He is not perhaps the largest 

 of those seen at times, yet his quaUties render him valuable. 

 The second in position a Blue buck, and third a Black buck of 

 almost perfect jet-like shade, were equal to their positions, and 

 the others claiming honourable mention were of considerable 

 merit, and probably at no other time are the Self-colours to be 

 found in gi'eater numbers in the rabbitry than at the present 

 throughout the coimtry. The variety Coloured Lops (eleven 

 entries) were excellent ; the Tortoiseshell doe as the cupwinner 

 is a large and well-marked animal, the second in distinction of 

 same marking is a valuable Babbit, and fitting companion to 



her more distinguished neighbour. The Grey and White Buck 

 as third in position gives promise of being a fine animal, as he 

 is only eleven months old. The other pens were too important 

 to escape favourable mention. The Angoras (eighteen entries) 

 were with few exceptions fine specimens, not probably so large 

 as we have seen, yet in fineness of wool, ttc, decidedly good ; 

 and had their owners made more free use of the comb before 

 their appearance in public, the animals would have looked all 

 the better, for probably no variety depends more upon this at- 

 tention for its' general showy appearance. The first-prize and 

 cup specimen youug doe was of great value ; a few months will 

 find her still more attractive. A doe as second, a young buck 

 as third, were also worthy of their position. A French Rabbit 

 of large size shown in this class, a Fawn Buck, and a Black 

 were the three exceptions to the prevailing colour White. 

 Some were in a state of moult, consequently appeared to dis- 

 advantage, others presented a strong and less silky fineness of 

 wool so desirable. As a rule the Angoras are in greater perfec- 

 tion during the warmer weather, and present a fulness of fleece 

 scarce to be expected in a less genial season. 



The Himalayans (twenty-six entries), were a splendid class, 

 some almost perfection, and evidently exhibited at the right 

 time judging from the darkness of points, so all-important. 

 Some few were moulting, hence their chances of success were 

 considerably less. The doe which won the first prize and cup 

 was in excellent condition and moderate size ; the second prize 

 also went to a doe, and the third to a buck — these were well- 

 formed animals. The class was probably one of the best ever 

 seen. 



The Silver-Greys (twenty-two entries), were presented in a 

 variety of shades and size, so generally observed in this ani- 

 mated variety, and we are glad to observe that that near ap- 

 proach to the Chinchilla, so desirable, is now more frequently 

 observed than in years gone by, and Jihe first and cup pen, a 

 doe, was both large and of true shade ; the ^second, also a doe, 

 it probably not quite so large was of great merit ; and the third, 

 a buck, was worthy of his position ; the others in favour were 

 valuable specimens of this variety. 



The Dutch (eighteen entries), in the diversity of colours were 

 an important class, some pens moulting. The first-prize and 

 cup Babbit, a Lemon-coloured doe ; and the second, a Black 

 doe ; also the third in distinction, Yellow doe, were all worthy 

 of their respective positions, and the minor badges of honour 

 were awarded to nens of great merit. 



The Any Variety class (fourteen entries), included a noble- 

 looking specimen of the rare shade (sandy fawn), Patagonian, 

 as first prize, a fine Belgian doe as second, and a buck of the 

 same variety as third. Nine Belgians were exhibited, and we 

 feel assured that if a class for this valuable and now more appre- 

 ciated variety was given the result would be satisfactory. Au 

 Andalusian buck was also exhibited, a Siberian doe, and a speci- 

 men of the once-important variety of thirty years ago, desig- 

 nated when first introduced into this country " Silver Sprig." 

 The class was important, more especially as regards the number 

 of valuable Belgian Hares exhibited. 



The class for heavy Babbits included six entries, and the 

 17-lb. 6-oz. doe as first, the 15-lb. 4-oz. doe as second, and the 

 less weighty one as third, were aU of the Lop class, as were the 

 others exhibited. 



The Selling Class (twenty-five entries), presented the usual 

 varieties, and two Lops (bucks), as first and secona were de- 

 cidedly good and of the full stipulated price in value. The 

 third, a Silver-Grey buck of great promise (five months), and the 

 others were equal to the position they respectively took. 



The Local Class (thirteen entries), was very commendable, 

 and we rather like this feature in a show as an indication of the 

 interest felt. The first-prize winner, a Blue buck (Lop), and 

 second, an Angora doe, third a young Belgian doe, wore all 

 decided in their varied points of excellence, and the others ex- 

 hibited were of good quality. 



In conclusion we must offer a complimentary word to the in- 

 dustrious Committee, and not forget their indefatigable and 

 courteous Secretary. May they have every success for the 

 future, in which we think all will concur who saw the complete 

 arrangements made to insure success. The pens were roomy, 

 and supplied by Mr. Turner, of Sheflield ; and as to the occupants 

 for the time being, there is little to fear as to their being re- 

 turned home none the worse for their visit to Northampton. 

 The longest-eared Bibbit was 23J by 5i inches, and heaviest 

 17 lbs. 6 ozs. 



Guinea Pigs. — k writerof distinction, according to the Scien- 

 tific American, says those little, plump, clean animals should 

 be used for food. A mistaken notion is entertained generally 

 that they are a kind of rat, and therefore au unjust prejudice 

 ought to be overcome, since they are excellent eating. Guinea 

 Pigs are not pigs. They are harmless, timid, vegetable feeders. 

 Their flesh is nutritious and delicate. If once received into our 

 markets, being easily raised, they would soon be prized for their 

 many desirable dietetic properties. Being prolific, too, they 



