Septemberia, 1805. ] JOUKKAL OF HORTICULTUKE AND COTTAGE GABDENER. 



225 



Thti Show proved good, though, as any poulti*y fancier too well 

 kuow.s. old hirds huvi- as yet scarcely recovered tht-ir plmna^^e. A 

 f,Tt!at feature in the Sparkenhoe Farmers' Club is this, tin- offer of a 

 live-j,aiinea cup to be awarded to the three best pons of poultry of any 

 variety ; in fact, it i>i alike available for every breed, without restriction 

 or linlit of any Itiud. except the Binii)lo one, that the three puns must 

 bo different vnnetios ; and a second pri/.e of .t'2 is ^'iven to the second 

 host also. Every one knows the extreme dilhculty of selecting three 

 I)erfect pens ftoni any one yard, more particularly when wanted just 

 at monltiug-tiino ; still it is quite as fair for one as another amonj^ 

 competitors, and lucky is tlie man who thulA his birds in j^ood con- 

 dition at the proper time. Five hits were entered, but one set of pens 

 remained emptv. We have seen the competition in this class far 

 more severe at former meetings than on the present occasion, not a 

 single competitor 8ho\ving three perfect pons. To a superiicial observer 

 the class would appear at a iirst glance far superior to what it really 

 proved to be on a close examination. One pai-ty showed thn;e splendid 

 pens of Oame chickens particularly well gi-own — viz., Black-breasted 

 l{cds. Brown Reds, and Dnclnviugs, but the two pullets in the tirst- 

 named variety were entirely " duek-footed." which at once gave a 

 quictu'^ to their hopes of snceess. A si'cond competitor exhibited some 

 tirey Ih>rhiii<iA with white legs but black feet, the very base of the legs 

 being also of the same ol)jectionable hue. This fatal fault imuu-diately 

 upset their chance of prize-taking. The trial now rested exclusively 

 between two lots only, one composed of Duckwiugs. lied Piles, and 

 iJrown Ked Gnmr fowls; the other competitor showing Buff Cochni.s, 

 tS'p(ifn\f!h, and White Cochins. Among the Game fowls just alluded to, 

 was a Duckipving him, purposely despoiled of her ear-lobes, most prob- 

 ably because they had been previously white;. The K*d Piles did not 

 match in the colour of the legs, and the Brown Ked cock had a twisted 

 spur. The cup-winners were a pen of extraordinarily well-grown Bull 

 Cochin chickens, far beyond anything at present exhibited this season ; 

 an exceciUugly good pon of Black Spanish, but out of comlition ; and 

 a pen of Urst-rate White Cochins, but the cock was evidently quite a 

 mart\-r to '' elephantiasis," a kind of leprosy, that can be cured by 

 strong remedies, patience, and perseverance, but still difficult to eradi- 

 cate. It wUl be seen, therefore, that the competition this year for the 

 cup was neither numerous, nor whiit it should be as to excellence ; 

 but, no doubt, the wealmess of the class this year will enlist a strong 

 competition on the next occasion, fiom many who deeply regi'etted 

 they had not entered. To such we can only apply the old adage, " faint 

 hearts are never successful.'' Some very good Grey Dorlriugs were ex- 

 hibited, but we must remind exhibitors, that malformations are always 

 fatal to success in poultry, either for exliibition or breeding, and that 

 black feet in Dorldngs is quite a novel fault, but one that all other 

 good qualities cannot palliate. The White Dorkings were so indifferent 

 as to cause eveiy prize to be withheld. Some splendid Chinese Silver 

 Pheasants were shown, but no enti-y whatever took place for the Chinese 

 Golden Pheasant prizes. 



The Gee-HP, White Aylesbuiy, and Ronen DticJcs were good, whilst a 

 pen of really good Wliite Call Ducks were well shown. 



In Piffeoiis, no doubt, the Po'wters, Cai-iiers, and Lahores were the 

 oream of the varieties shown. 



We wex-e pleased to find the poultiT and Pigeons shown in such good 

 hoaltli, the late heavy rains having proved most destructive in many 

 districts within the few weeks last past. 



A prize, value £5 5s., for the three best pens of poultry, of any variety, 

 exhibited bv and the property of one person. — Silver cnp, H. Yardley, 

 Market Hall, Birmingham (Buflf Cochins. Black Spanish, and White 

 Cochins). Second, Sir St. G. Gore, Bart., Wirksworth (Black-breasted, 

 Red Pile, and Duckwins Game). 



Spanish. — First, M. Brown, Melton Mowbray. Second, W. T. Everard, 

 Ashby-de-la-Zouch. 



DoTiKrao (Coloured).— First.W.T. Everard, Ashby-de-la-2ouch. Second, 

 H. Warner, Loughborough. Commended, W. R. Dick, Derby. 



Cochin-Chuja. — First, M. Brown, Melton Mowbray. Second, Mrs. 

 Wciiferstan, Tamworth. 



Game (White, Pile^ and Litiht Colours).— First, Sir St. G. Gore, Bart., 

 Wirksworth. Second. G. Bott. Atherstone. Highly Commended, W. T. 

 Everard, Ashby-de-la-Zoueh; G. Bott, Atherstone. 



Gamb (Red, nnd other Dark Colours).— First, Sir St. G. Gore, Bart., 

 Wirksworth. Second, J. Tyler. Loughborough. Commended, G. Bott, 

 Atherstone; G. Heafford. Loughboroush. 



HAMBURdir (GoM-HpauRled).- First, H. E, Emberlin, Leicester. Second, 

 Sir St. G. Gore, 15;irt., Wirksv.orth. 



HAJiBURr.i! ((ioId-pencUled).— Prize. Sir St. G. Gore, Bart., Wirksworth. 



Hamblugh (Silver-spangled).— Prize, Sir St. G. Gore. Bart. 



Hamburgh (Silver-pencilled).— First, Sir St. G. Gore, Bart. Second, 

 J. Meredith, Atherstone. 



Any other dtstinct breed.— First and Second, J. Meretlith, Atherstone 

 (Silks and Andalnsians). 



Pheasants (Silver).- Prize, J. Buck, Leicester. 



Ducks (AVhite Aylesbury).— First, Sir St. G. Gore, Bart., Wirksworth. 

 Second. H. E. Emberlin. Leicester. Richly Commended, W. T. Everard, 

 A^hby-de-la-Zouch : W. & H. Gill, Loughhornngh. 



Ducks (Any other Vurietv).— First, J. Johnson, Leicester (WTiite Calls). 

 Second, W. & H. Gill, Loughborough (Rouens). Highlv Commended, W. 

 Mosely. Loughborough fBuenos AjTean) ; W. T. Everard, Ashby-de-la- 

 Zouch (Rauens). 



Geese.— First, Mrs. Wolforstan, Tamworth. Second, J. Garton, Lough- 

 borough. 



T OR KE vs.— First, J. Johnson. Leicester. Second, Mrs. A. Guy, Gran- 

 tham. Highly Commended, C.W. Packe, M.P., Loughborough ; J. Johnson, 

 Leicester. 



Guinea Fowt.s.— First and Second, J. Johnson, Leicester. HighLv 

 Commended, W. Green, Ashby-d?-la-Zouch. 



Bantams. — First, Sir St. G. (Jitre, Bart., Wirksworth. Second, H. E, 

 Emberlin, Leicester. Highly Counneuded, W. Draycott, Leicester. 



Gamk Fowls.— Prize. H. Warner, Loughborough. Highly Commesdedf, 

 W. T. Everard, Ashby-de-l:i-Zouch. ^ 



DoKicrxas.— Pri/.e, H. Warner, Ijoughborongh. 



Uamburghk.— Prize. W. & H. Gill, Loughborough. 



Any other bheed. — Prize, M. Bruwn, Moltou Mowbrjiy (Spanish). 



Pigeons. — Powtem or CVo/;/)rra.— First, H. E. Emberlin, Leicester. 

 Second, H. Yardley, Birmingham. Hii^hly Commended.. H. E. Emberlin. 

 CarrirrH. — First, H. Yardley, Birmingliam. Second, W. Draycott, 

 Leicester. Tuinbhrt. — First and SL-eond, 11. Yardley. i''<rH(<ii/(».— Fii'st. 

 H. Yardley. Second, W. Draycott, Leicester. Commended, H. Yardley 

 Any other distinct uarit'iy.- First and Second, H. Yardley (Lahores and 

 BrunswicUs). 



lUniUTS. — Hfavicnt IKct/7?i(. ^ First, A, Houghton, Melton Mowbraj-. 

 Second, W. Draycott, Leicester. Highly Commended, J. N. Dixon, 

 Commended, G. Jones, Birmingham. Ltni'jth of £((;-.— First, G. Jones. 

 Second, J. N. Dixon. Commended, W. Draycott. Any olkp.r kind.— 

 First, H. Warner, Loughborough. Second, G. Jones. Highly Com- 

 mendetl, H. Warner. Commended, W. Draycott. Extra. — Prize, — 

 Cayless, Loughborough (Angoras). 



The Judges were Mr. Edward Hewitt, of Eden Cottage, Sparkbrook, 

 Birmingham ; and Mr. Heniy Marshall, of Cropwell Butler, Bingham, 

 Notts. 



NOTES ON riCxEONS. 



THE rowTEn. 



I A3I not siirpriseJ that the Powter has always been a favour- 

 ite with fanciers, imrticularly with those whose caLhngs or 

 health Iseep them much at home ; for he is a sociahle bird, 

 more so than any other I'igeou. Then he is the most im- 

 portant-looking and acting personage of the whole tribe. Others 

 merely walk and tly ; but he struts, jumps, and, man-like, 

 tlisdains looking to the ground, and is as ijeqjeudicular in 

 carriage as others are horizontal. Then his long legs are so 

 different to the mere little feet of the others. Hence he stands 

 apart as an individual — he can be classed with none. Like 

 King Richard he may saj', "I am myself alone." The Powter 

 has great power over other Pigeons : whether it is by the exer- 

 cise of an attractive nature or mere bull.^'lug I cannot deter- 

 mine, but so it is. If you keep, say, but one pair among any 

 number of other varieties, the cock will be the recognised head 

 of the fraternity — all will yield to him, and follow his lead as 

 to what parts of the roof to bask upon. If he dies or is sent 

 away it is odd to mark how he is missed ; the rest are a mere 

 number of small birds ; they scatter to other parts of the roof, 

 seem uneasy — like the French, they delight in an emperor. 



Inside the house the Powter shows off well. On the landing- 

 board he is in supreme happiness, and struts about to his own 

 entire satisfaction. Along the roof he parades ; in all places 

 he seems to say, "Look at me! look at me! ^Vhat a fine 

 feUow I am!" .^nd even on the wing he is so loud and de- 

 monstrative that one is fain to look up at him. 



To see Powters to perfection you should keep Tumblers with 

 them. Each kind sets off the other. The tall Powter looks 

 taller beside the short plump Tumbler, and the compact and 

 symmetrical Tumbler looks doubly compact beside the slim 

 Powter. We judge of everything by comparison ; it is well, 

 then, to have the means of judging at hand. 



Much as I admire Powters, I must own that Powter-love is 

 an acquired love. Thus ladies, the best judges of appearance, 

 always pronounce them " ugly," — i. e., provided the saidladies 

 are not fanciers, while they always praise Jacobins as " loves, 

 pets, darlings." I would not overjiraise any bird, but give 

 each variety its proper place. Thus I would not dethrone the 

 all-graceful Carrier in spite of the telling ways of the Powter. 

 The Carrier is marked by natui'e as superior to all other Pigeons 

 — he is their rightful king ; the Powter, his self-important 

 lord chamberlain, who is nothing unless he is pompous. Thus, 

 frighten him, down at once goes his wind-bag, and the scared 

 wretch becomes an ill-shaped Eunt, so unlike the Carrier, who, 

 if you frighten him, looks only the more gi'aceful, and gives an 

 indignant snort. Neither, again, would I forget the minute 

 beauties of the diminutive Almond Tumbler, though he does 

 look a little like one of a degenerate and therefore enfeebled 

 race — a sort of modern Athenian. 



There is, perhaps, another reason besides his sociality, his 

 amusing pompo.sity, and his remarkable lameness, even impu- 

 dence, which has made the Powter a favourite with English 

 fauciers — viz., the difficulty of breeding good ones, and English- 

 men like whatever gives them trouble to get perfect. Who 

 has seen many first-rate Powters ? I haTe not seen twenty-five 

 in as many years. This one would be good, but the half-moon 

 is wanting; that is a long bird, but loose-winded; that over- 

 blows himself, and loses all self-command. This has too much 



