i(rl 



JOUBNAL OF HOBTICULTCKE AKD COTTAGE GABDENEB. 



( December 9, 1869. 



adopted, but the cry was " Slill they come I' This ye»r the ' 

 entran:o money was augmented. It" bad the effect of elightly 

 lessening the number of entries, but not enongh to afJ.rd relief. 

 There is not room in Bingley Hall for tlie numbers who show 

 their confidence in the Committee, and their approval of tbe ma- 

 nagemsnt, by competing for some of the many hundreds allotted ■ 

 for prizes. The two open spaces at tbe ends of the poultry 

 bay are of great benefit; the gallery allotted to the I'ieeons, ' 

 tho auction room filled with Ducks, and the Tjrkeys sharing • 

 part cf the implement space, are all so many reliefs "grnnted to 

 the crowded poultry bay, but they are not enongb. There is I 

 not room for the visitors, nor can they see tbe birds. Not i 

 only is nothing impossible to the Birmingham Ccnncil, bnt 

 nothing seems diflicult. We do cot, therefore, hesitate to 

 mention that which we heard frequently daring the Show, that 

 it would be better if the pens were raised higher from the 

 ground. A rise of 12 inches would enable all tbe lower pens 

 to come within the light afforded by the side lights of the roof, ' 

 and ■viiifors would be able to see the lower pens without tffort. 



There were three bnmlred pens of Dorkin'i.i, ratiny of them of 

 BtartUcg eiccUencr. Tho increase in tbe WfiiRbt of the hens still 

 goes on ; the cocks appear to be stationary. There wonld have been 

 CO diS^^coIty in finding ten hens that weished 100 lbs. Dorking cocks ' 

 formerly ranked among the remarkable when they weighed 9 lbs., then ■ 

 they reached 10 lbs., since they have attained 12 lbs., bat that seems 

 their limit. Mrs. Arkwrigbt repeated her success of last year; Admiral 

 Hombj, Mr. Drewry, and Lord Chesterfield were amon^ tbe successfol, | 

 and renvlnded ns of past years in the same bnilding, where prizclaking : 

 has maJe their names familiar as honsehold words. YTe were glad to i 

 Bee a second prize taken by Scotland. Mr. Anderson may be prond 

 of his position and his exploit. The Silver Greys were betl<ir than we ' 

 have ever sceii. Fewer cocks were fonlfealhered, and in both classes 

 the winning birds might have been put in open competition with good 

 hope 01 sncoess. These are always aristocratic classes. The Ladies 

 Dirlmoath end Bigot, ard Lord Bagot, were among the prizetakers. 

 Althongh we shall hereafter have to speak of great improvements in 

 clis8e5, we do not think it was anywhere more visible than in the 

 ■White Dorkirgs. Colour, shape, and weiglit were all in advance of i 

 former years. Cocks wcigh-d more than 9 lbs., and hens 7 lbs. We ; 

 deem it right to state here, at tbe beginning, onr limits will not permit ! 

 reference to every pen that deserves it ; we are obliged to refer onr j 

 readers to the pnbli^bcd list of the prizes and commendations. ; 



Two hnndred and eighty pens of Cochins. These birds formed a \ 

 show, and among the indncemcnts to large entries fignred four silver 

 cnps. \Ve like tho dissemination of prizes, and therefore onr first 

 inention in these classes shall be Mr. Zurborst, of Dnblin, who dis- 1 

 tingnished himself by taking the second prize for Cochin cocks. A ! 

 very old amateor also deserves congratnlation, Mr. Cattell took fonr | 

 prizes, inclnding a silver cnp. Mr. Taylor, of Manchester, took two 

 silver cnps. We were glad to note the "retnm to these classes of an ' 

 exhibitor, formerly well known ; we allude to Capt. Heaton. who was I 

 snccesssnl. Tbe Cinnamon aiul Bnff classes were very meritorious. 

 We found great size coupled with symmetry and good colour. A few 

 pens showed a tendency to on old objection — viz., a dark mark at the 

 end of the hackle feathers. It was always considered a disadvantage, 

 if not a defect, and it wonld be a mistake if it were permitted to re- 

 appear. TpVe can only say one word against the Whites, we mean the 

 prevalence of vulture bocks. In all other particulars they were good, 

 and we should like to see them more numerous. The Brown and 

 Partriige were stronger in hens and pullets than in cocks. The 

 former were many of them faultless ; the latter were gniltv of red 

 feathers on their breasts. We know, experimentally, it is easier to 

 breed them faulty than perfect, and manv a cock that through chicken- 

 hood h?.s been destined to gnat things,' has failed almostat the last 

 moment through a discoloured breast. The first-prize cockerel was in 

 perfect health when judged, and dying on Monday morning. 



Two hundred and thirty pens of /Inilimns What a reproof for those 

 who once donbted the purity of this breed '. Many of the birds in 

 these classes were traly perfect — of enormous size, and perfect ia 

 symmetry and plumage. Fifty-nine pens among the Dark, and twelve 

 amonc tho Light, were deemed worthy of notice by the .Judges. Mrs. 

 Hurt txik two silver cups and many other prizes. We know no breed 

 that is so largely disseminated over the United Kingdom as this is. 

 The prizes went to England. Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. There is 

 progress among the Light classes. Mrs. Williamson did wonders 

 when s!io beat Mr. Pares in his own class, lie made a good fight, 

 being in three prize lists. We thought well of Mrs. Southard's birds, 

 aud Mr. Crook showed capital hens. 



The -V/rfni/s ought to show better in numbers and general merit. 

 The -UberaUty of a few amateurs " enabled the Council to offer 

 additional prizes. There were very good old birds ; but in both the 

 chicken classes the second prize was withheld. These entries were 

 more numerons years ago than they are now. 



It is satisfactory to tnm from a decreasing to a verv rising class : 

 we allude to the French breeds. It may be safely said the Crcrr. 

 Cenirs formed the best show of the breed there has yet been in 

 England. Forty pens — large s<]nare birds, with glossy plumage, deep 

 breasts, short legs — challenged the admiration of all' who saw them. 



We do not believe they will ever equal the Dorking as a table fowl, 

 but no one could look at them without Feeing the meat was put io the 

 ri^'h; place, and that the offul would be light. Wc arc glad again to 

 note llr. Znrhorst, of Dublin, was second. F.very name printed on 

 the prize-sheet deserves the honour, snd all who appear there own 

 first-rate birds. Fifty-seven pens of Il'ri'^nns. These were as good 

 as the Cr -ve-Co-ors, and were faultless of their breed. The Hon. 

 C. W. Fitzwilliam swept off all the La Fh'J.^ prizes. True, the com- 

 petition was small, but the condition and size of the winners would 

 Lave made their Fucce.^is easy in the teeth of more opponents. It 

 would seem that Mr. Fitzwilliam has the gift of keeping these birds io 

 condition ; few can do it. 



Seventy-nine pens of fpovijfi. We thought very highly of these, 

 and noted in them a disposition to retnm to the old form — the long 

 and smooth face preferred to the canliflower surface. Mr. Lane 

 deserves especial notice. The Hon. Miss Pennant. Messrs. Parkin 

 ■Jones, and iiogers Bull richly merited their hononrs. We liked all 

 the class, and admired the pullets more than the hens. 



Black l/a},.i,:in/I i are beautiful birds, and as we looked attheclane* 

 wc could Int do homage to the ^kill and painstaking that had brought 

 thcra from th-: large loose birds we recollect to the compact symme- 

 trical birds that in 1809 would not BuSer in comparison with their 

 more gaily-pluinaged brethren. The coal-black plumage, white ear, 

 aud red comb, make a perfect rnscrnhh. The Golden and Silver were 

 good, but we thought the former the best. There was one pallet in 

 the prize pen pencilled to the tip of the tail as very few are. Some of 

 the cocks were deficient in the bronzing of the sickle feathers. Id 

 many of the Silvers there was indistinctness of pencilling such as we 

 did not see formerly ; the prize pens were, however, very good. There 

 were eighty-six pens of Spangled Hambnrgbs, aud lots of good birds. 

 We have never seen better than some of the prizetakers. and it waa 

 hard that some of the Golden highly commended had nothing better ; 

 but there was nothing for them. In these, too. wc liked the Golden 

 best. There is an accuracy in their '' moons " that we do not meet 

 with ii: the Silvers, aud a richness of colour seems to belong to them. 

 What will be said to fifty-six pens of Pvlish '! Their exhibitors are 

 up and doing. Twenty-eight of these were Silvers. All the pens were 

 good, and v.-e look for a continuous improvement in every way. 



We can only repeat of the next class that which we heard in the 

 show — '• The Varict'ies were various." The first prize went to a beau- 

 tiful pen of Indian Game called *' Bajra," the second to Silldes. the 

 third to Audalusians. Some amusement was caused by a mistake. 

 Two monsters were shown as four-legged Dorkings, and a highly 

 commended card was stuck up on them instead of the Cuckoo Dorkings. 

 Those who came in on Saturday evening noted it. Some were amused , 

 and others, even among the press, were virtuously indignant. The 

 appearance of the prize list on Monday morning satisfied all parties. 



It is almost impossible to say much of the 6V»n'?. They were perfect 

 in all their classes. They were numerous. There is no detection of 

 painting legs, or mending plumage, or pulling tails. We can only say 

 every prize given was to the best of our belief well awarded, aud every 

 bird that received one deserved it. The Whites have disappeared, at;d 

 the Blacks are few and far between. 



The Sebright liaiita::is were not remarkable for numbers or quaUty ; 

 they were a bare average. The Whites were weak ; tbe Blacks stronger, 

 but not eqnal to past years. The " Variety Bantams " were better, 

 and showed really good specimens. The Game Bantams were in 

 greater force than ever, and the single cock class was in many 

 respects wonderful. We have never seen them so even, so free from 

 defect. We conld bnt notice how few of these beautilol little birds 

 are kept in the south of England. 



Again the Aylesbury liwhs had to give way before the Bonen in 

 numbers, weight, and merit. The successful Rouens weighed IS lbs. 

 ■I ozs.. 17 lbs. 13 ozs., 17 lbs. 12 ozs., 17 lbs. 12 ozs., 16 lbs. 6oz8., 

 If; lbs. 6ozs. ; the Aylesbnns, 17 lbs. 12 ozs., 17 lbs. 7 ozs., 17 lbs. 

 2 ozs. White Geese weighed 50 lbs. and 12 lbs. : Old Grey, .'^7 lbs. 

 Uoz.=., 531bs. 8ozB. ; young Grey, 48J lbs., 46lbs. 4ozs. Single 

 cock i^Kr/.-c^/s, exceeding one vear old, weiehed 34 lbs., 32 lbs., 30 lbs., 

 29 lbs., 23 lbs. ; birds' of 1369, 23 lbs. 12 ozs., 2:; lbs. 8 ozs ; two 

 hens, old, 32 lbs., 27 lbs. 4 ozs. ; young, 28 lbs. 2 ozs., 27 lbs. 12 ozs. 



We are gratified to add this Shew was succesiful among the success- 

 ful ones, the amount received reaching £1.412 1^. against £1,037 in 

 1808, £979 in 1867, and £648 in 1806. 



Kveryone connected with the meeting worked for success, and 

 deserved it. Too much praise cannot be given to those who for nearly 

 a quarter of a century, through good and bad report, have clung to 

 and piloted this great nndertaking. All interested in the pooltry 

 question are under obUgation to Messrs. Wright, Matthews, Luckcock, 

 Mapplcbeck, Lowe. Sbackel, Adkins, Sabin, and others, who have 

 always been identified with it. 



THE PIGEONS. 

 {From a Correspondent.) 

 Tbe arrangement of placing some of the classes in the gallery and 

 some in tbe poultry department was a mistake, and a great nuisance 

 to the vi.sitors. The Council availed themselves of the services of the 

 four Judges who ofiiciated so satisfactorily at the last Show, and cer- 

 tainly these gentlemen had this time made a better dirision of their 

 work, as Messrs. Harrison Weir and Cottle judged the first seventeen 



