Deoemberl9, 186S. 1 



JOURNAL OF HOBTICULTUBE MfU COTTAGE GARDENER. 



513 



from the unpleasantness attending thotr duties, by repeated 

 esmao being given for complaint as to tlio manner in wliicli the 

 pri;;e» nro awarded. At the late Birmingham Show I exhibited 

 a pair of Blue Dragons, admitted by really competent judge.s 

 to be the bept pair in the Show. They were honoured with a 

 very high commendation, whereas the pair that the first prize 

 was awarded to were both white-rumped, a defect, beyond doubt, 

 quite sufficient to exclude them from taking a prize. The pair 

 that the second prize was awarded to were, perhaps, rather 

 better, only one of them being white-rumped. 



Now, 1 think, I have just cause for complaint that the prize 

 in this variety was not awarded to me ; but, at the same time, 

 I complain that the first prize, awarded to me for Archaugela, 

 was eijually unjust, inasmuch as one of them is gravel-eyed, 

 and the other pearl-eyed ; quite sufficient to my mind to 

 exclude them from prize-taking. 



I fear that the great dissatisfaction caused by such gross 

 blunders will very soon cause these useful exhibitions to be 

 numbered among the things that have been. — JohnPep.civall. 



DARLINGTON EXHIBITION OF POULTRY 

 AND PIGEONS. 



Tks thirteenth annnal Eichibitioti of the Darlington Society took 

 place on tlie 1.3tb, 11th, and 1.5th iuat., and proved one of the most 

 snccessfal exiiibitious yet held in this locality. It was at first appre- 

 hended, B% cattle were not exhibited this year, as was the case hitherto, 

 that a moit serionH falling off would take place in the unmber of visitors ; 

 bat we are most happy to state that the attendance of poultry amateurs 

 sustained ao diminution, and the quaUty of the poultry exhibited was 

 quite equal to that of former years. The Committee were equally uu- 

 sparing of personai trouble and expense as heretofore, and fires were 

 placed in suitable positions so as to wai'm the whole area of the spacious 

 new covered market, than which it is rare to find a more suitable build- 

 ing for such an exhibition. This forethought on the part of the 

 managers at Darlington is worthy of especial mention, as it was evi- 

 dent that many reaUy excellent pens of fowls, previously broken down 

 by too-quickly-repeated exhibition, without the opportunity of even a 

 few days' intervening rest, would have suffered most severely had their 

 requirements not been properly attended to. As it was, we were sorry 

 to observe that a great number of pens were suffering severely from in- 

 fluenza at the time of their admission, and the restoratives of combined 

 warmth and stimulating diet were evidently not wasted, for numbers 

 of such pens would leave DarUngtoa in far better condition and general 

 health than when received. 



The Darlington Show was licb in Grey DorJcings, Viscountess 

 Holmc^dale exhibiting a large number of pens of this breed, that 

 would grently increase the interest of anv poultry meeting. We do 

 not recollect her ladyship ever having exiubited a more praiseworthy 

 colloction. The first-prize pen of rosy-combed ones were extraordinarily 

 good, and we must name the pen containing a pair of Dorking hens 

 such as are only met with at very considerable intervals. All three of 

 the principal Grrey Dorking prizes were, therefore, obtained by Lady 

 fiohnesdale ; but it must not be supposed that this triumph was gained 

 without a vigorous competition, for pen after pen of most commendable 

 birds were to be found in these classes. Black Spanish were very good, 

 hut evidently a considerable proportion of these pens were suffering 

 from over-exhibition. In Cochins there was a veiy close competition, 

 all the most noted breeders evidently being willing to trj' their strength 

 at Darlington. Captain Heaton won the first prize in adults with a 

 most magnificent pen, composed of two especially perfect hens, mated 

 with the first-prize single cock at Birmingham. They are individually, 

 perhaps, as good specimens as could be desired, but match indifferently, 

 80 much so as to cause the silver cup for the best pen of Cochins {with- 

 out reference to age) to be awarded to chickens. The chicken class 

 was uniformly excellent, and here Mr. Jennison of Manchester showed 

 two verv superior pens. Mr. Tomlinson, of Birmingham, exhibited in 

 this class a most marvellous young cockerel, that was almost univer- 

 sally admired ; but one of his pullets seemed a most unfitting com- 

 panion. Brahmas mustered well, and seemed to excite considerable 

 interest, as they have proved extraordinary winter egg-producers, even 

 80 far north as Darlington. Hamhnrrjhs were in all respects superior 

 to the usual run, the Golden-spangled and Silver-spangled especially 

 so ; it is really wonderful how well the cup birds wear year after year 

 without any apparent deterioration, for it is by no means common for 

 very old hens to moult out for many consecutive years still true to 

 feather. In Ganie fowls Mr. Fletcher of Stonecloiigh. near Man- 

 chester, stood pre-eminentamidsta whole host of powerful competitors ; 

 most of the birds were shown throughout the classes in excellent con- 

 dition, the first-prize Black Red hen belonging to that gentleman being 

 as near perfection as could be hoped for, though a pallet, as all ages 

 were equally admissible. This bird ran with the first-prize single Game 

 cock very closely for the extra silver cup given for the best Game fowl 

 regardless of sex. By referring to the appended prize list it will be 

 seen that Mr. Fletcher succeeded in taking two of the Society's silver 

 caps exclusively with Game fowls. In Sebright s only a second prize 

 was awarded, not on account, as would be imagined, o any paucitv of 



merit, bat in accordance with the regulations of the Society's roles, 

 which diHtinctly state that unless there are three entries only a aecond 

 prize shall be awarded. The Arbitrators, to show their opinions, 

 ■• highly commended " the other pen. . 



We do not ourselves at all adrocate this arrangement as to deficient 

 entries, although to award premiums when there is so little public 

 support may be urged as bearing too heavily on the gencrul funds ; 

 our impression, on the contrary, being, that if undoubtedly flret-rate 

 specimens are under consideration the want of competition should not 

 militate against the success of those owners who have already incurred 

 all the expenses of exhibition, and who cannot, we think, be fairly 

 held responsible for the paucity of entries, which even had they been 

 numerous would most probably not have at all affected their success. 

 In this particular instance Loth pens were unusually good. 



In Gavie Bantams the entries were veiy heavy, but the condition of 

 the greater portion was not worthv of praise. Mr. Crossland, however, 

 showed some excellent birds, as d'ld Mr. Fletcher. Some of the Game 

 Bantams were evidently still suffering from recent dublung, it being 

 well known that Bantams recover from this operation far less speedily 

 than the more vigorous Game fowls. Some very good White and also 

 Bhick Bantams were exliibited, the first-prize pen of Black ones at 

 Birmingham being altogether iluijuaJifieJ, although so recently the 

 winners of the amateurs' additional prize of £4, as well as the hberal 

 one given by the Birmingham Council. Whilst this pen of Black 

 Bantams was at Birmingham the objection was obvious not only to 

 the careful, but on the contrary even casual observer, one of the hens 

 being absolutely sprinkled with white on the saddle, the side coverts 

 of the tail, and under the breast also. Some few of such spots were 

 actually nearly equal in size to a silver threepenny-piece, constituting 

 an entirely new feature in a Birmingham first-prize Blwk Bantam. 

 The overtaxing of the physical powers of the .Judges at Birmingham 

 affords at once a verv easy solution of the causes involving such errors. 

 These gentlemen during the now brief wintry days are obUged to 

 judge either long after nightfall, or, to avoid this fatal objection, they 

 mnst rush onwards with their most responsible duties under a kind of 

 follow-the-leader fashion ; consequently such mistakes are certain to 

 follow. It is to this compulsory pressure to " get done," that may 

 fairly be attributed the greater portion of the loud comphunts almost 

 universally excited as to the Birmingham decisions rather than to the 

 want of desu-e to do justice on the part of the Arbitrators themselves. 

 The fact as to Birmingham is simply this, that there is no time to 

 entertain a second opinion ; and even the simple expression of such 

 diversity, if courteou.sly urged, proves only the direct herald of abrupt 

 and offensive displeasure, the war-crj- being to " get done." 



In the class for Any variety not before mentioned. Ptarmigan and 

 La Flcche fowls, both exceedingly good iiens, were the winners. 



In G/^-ese Mrs. Seamous, of Aylesbury, stood highest with birds of 

 great merit, and also with Aylesbury Duels. This lady's heaviest pen 

 of Ducks, however, were passed over from the fact of being so entirely 

 overfed that they had nearly lost the power of locomotion, and their 

 utter inutility as brood stock was palpable. The Rouen class of Ducks 

 wa3 excellent, as was also the Variety Duck class, Carolinas and Grey 

 Calls being here the prize-winners. 



The only attempt at deception we noticed throughout the Show was 

 exhibiting in the Hamburgh classes pallets for old hens, and vicemrsd, 

 to the loss of several prizes by the parties attempting the imposition. 



The Plaeons were evidently good, but tune was not available to 

 make a close inspection after the opening of the Show, which took 

 place early in the afternoon. As the weather proved most favourable 

 the Exhibition was well attended. 



Spanish (Black).— First and Cap, H. Beldon, Bingley. Second, ■Vis- 

 countess Holmesdale, Linton Park, Staplehnrst, Kent. Highly Com- 

 mended, A. Heath, C;ilne, Wilts. Chict:em.—'Fiisi. E. Brown, Sheffield. 

 Second, Master A. Ridp.ith, Edinburgh. Highlv Commended, Messrs. 

 Bowman & Fearon, Whitehaven; A. Heath; J. H. Wilson, St. Bees. 



DoBKiNGS (Coloured),— First and Cup. Viscountess Holmesdale, Linton 

 Park. Second, H. Lingwood, Barking, Needhani Market, Suffolk. Highly 

 Commended, G. E. Smith, ScarborouKh ; J. White. Warlaby, Northaller- 

 ton. Chickem.—Vint. Viscountess Holmesdale. Linton Park. Second, 

 M. Hedley, Redhill, Snrrev. Highlv Commended, J. "White ; M. Hunter, 

 Green Hammerton HaU, 'York ; T.'E. KeU, Wetherby ; Mrs. Dale, Scoj- 

 borough ; J. Bell, Thoi-nton-le-Moor, Northallerton. Commended, C. 

 Pease, Southend, Darlington; J. Graham, Witton-le-Wcav. 



DoRsiNO Hens (Any variety). — First, Viscountess Holmesdale, Linton 

 Park. Second, J. Gonson, Sandwith, Whitehaven. 



D0RKr>-GS CWhitej.-^irst and Cup, H. Linirwood. Barking, Ncedham 

 5Iarket. Second, J. Robinson, Vale House, Garstang. CMctfiw.— First, 

 H. Lingwood. Second, .J. Robinson. 



Cochin-Chisa (Cinnamon and Buff).— First, Capt. Heaton, Lower 

 Broughton, Manchester. Second, H. Bntes, Yardley. Birmingham. Highly 

 Commended, H. Tomlinson, Balsall Heath, Birmingham. Chii:kem.— 

 First, Cup, and Second, C. Jennison. Belle Vue. Manchester. Highly 

 Commended, H. Tomlinson ; Capt. H. Heaton ; Miss AgUonby, Grasmere, 

 Westmoreland. Commended, J. Nelson, Heaton Mersey, Manchester. 



Cochin-China (Any other variety).— First, Capt. H. Heaton. Lower 

 Broughton. Second, H. Bates, Yardlev. Highly Commended, W. Dawson, 

 Hopton Mirfield; Rev. W. H. Fell, Statmine, Poulton-Ie-Fylde, Lanca- 

 shire. C/ii'cAeii.!.- First, Capt. H. Heaton. Second, .T. W. Marshall. 



Cochin-China Hens (Any aue or variety).— First, H. Tomhnson, Bir- 

 mingham. Second, Capt. H. Heaton, Lower Brouahton. Highly Com- 

 mended, J. BeU, Thirsk; Capt. H. Heaton ; C. Jennison, Manchester ; A. 

 Perkins, Darlington. Commended, C. Pease. 



BaAHHA PooTEAS (Any variety).— First, E. W. Boyle, Wicklow, Irehind. 

 Second, H. Lacy, Hebden Bridge. Commended, Rev. W. H. Fell, Stat- 



