December 16, 1869. 1 



JOURNAL OF HORTICOLTUKE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



493 



Kecve8 (Gold), hr, G. W. Boothby, Lnath. <-, Miga Hales (Golden- 

 spangled) : G. W. Boothby : D. ilatton (Black with white crest). 



CBi.TE-C<EOE.— 1, EeT. "H. H. DombraiD, Weatwell Vicarage, Ashlord. 

 2, T. G. Ledger, he, W. Dring. 



HocDAj).— 1, W. O. Qaibcll, New»rk. 2 and 8, Hill & Co., Brighton. 

 he, G. Mills ; W. O. Quibell, Newark ; W. Dring ; J. Norwood, Hersham. 

 ,, G. MiUs ; F. EUiott. 



Bantams (Gold an! SUver-laccd).— 1, Mi3S A. Hodson, North Petherton. 



Bantams (Black, White, or any variety).— 1, Miss E. J. N. Hawker, 

 Tunbridge Wells. 2, D. Mutton, he, J. Barnard, Staplehurst ; J. H. 

 Bayley. c, E. Fowler. 



Gajte Bantams.— 1, F. James. 2, J. B. Plnmptre. 3, H. Dowsett. 

 Pleshey. 



Docks (Aylesbury).— 1 and he, C. Haveie. 2, W. Jacob, Shepherdswell. 

 c, G. W. Greenhill ; Jlisa Hales. 



DccKs (Rouen).- 1, C. S. Hardy, Canterbury. 2, W. Jacob, he, W. F. 

 Harvey ; Lady F. Brshby, Kingston Hill ; F. Parlett. 



Geese.— 2, Miss Hales, he, D. Swaffer. Kingsnorth: Mrs. Powell. 

 Godings.—l, Miss Hales. 2, Mrs. Powell, he, D. Swafl'er; Hiss Hales. 



Tubkeys.— 1, Miss Hales. 2, J. Foord. he, W. H. Mold, Bethersden. 

 Poults— 1, T. Harrev. 2, V,'. B. Sharpe. Cranbrook. he, 1. Harney; VT. 

 H. Mould ; J. Foord; AshJcrd. 



Any other Vaktext. — 1, C. Avers, Canterbury (Guelder or Breda). 

 2, Hills & Co. (Gaaeesian). he. Miss Hales (Silkies), e, G. Mills (La 

 Fleche); F. EUiott, Dymcharch (Black Hamburgh). 



Selling Class.— 1, G. Mills, Woodville, Dover (La Fleche). 2, C. F. 

 Hore (Brown Red Gaaei. 8, P.. Cheesman (Dorking). Jic, J. B. Plumptre 

 (Dorking); G. W. GreenhUl (Dorking), c, Dr. Beet, Ashford (Hoadans) ; 

 J. B. Plumptre (Silver-Grey Dorking/ ; T. Perkins (Spanish and Houdaui) ; 

 W. P. Forth, Ashford (White Bantams) : J. Rogers, Hastings (White and 

 Black Cochins) ; Col. Deedes, Hythe (Grey Dorking). 



Extra Local Phize (Houdan). — Chicken.— 1, G. Mills. 



Pigeons. — Carricri (Any colour).— 1, W. Foster, Ripple House, Deal- 

 2, J. F. Jenks, Canterburv. Tumbler'.— 1, W. Igglesden. 2, F. Elgar' 

 Sandwich. Fantaili.-l. d. W. Greenlill. 2. F. Elgar. he. A. A. Vander 

 Meerscfa, Forest Hill ; G. W. Greenhill. Any other Variety.— 1, Lady F. 

 Bnshby (Blue Runts). 2, J. Bowes (Owls). 8, E. C. Bering (German 

 Helmet), he, W. Igglesden, AsMord (White Trumpeters). 



KILMARNOCK POULTRY, PIGEON, AND 

 CANARY SHOW. 



Our friends in tlie north are certainly progressing. The fanciers 

 are waking-up again witli renewed and increased spirit, and as our 

 exliibitions come round those who have been so long in retirement 

 appear with the produce of their summer's labours, setting them on 

 the tables of our shows to the surprise of their brethren, and the ad- 

 um-ation of visitoia. 



Kilmarnock has taken a decided step in advance this year, and if 

 ever a Committee had reason to be gratified by the successful termi- 

 nation of their work, it is that of the quiet and industrious manu- 

 facturing town of carpets and blue bonnets. Last year the Show was 

 held in the Market Hall, behind the Corn Exchange, a very large 

 squai'e building, roofed with glass, and the Exhibition comprised 

 182 pens of poultry, 153 pens of Pigeons, and 127 cages of Canary 

 birds. This year the Show was held on the ^Tth nit., and the entries 

 increased to such an extent that the Committee had to engage not 

 only the Hall, but the Corn Exchange as well, a large and elegant 

 building communicating with the Hall by an easy flight of steps. The 

 Market HaU was devoted to the poultry, of which 259 pens were ex- 

 hibited ; and the Exchange which was neatly arranged after the manner 

 of the Glasgow Show, having pens of the same size and shape, con- 

 tained 241 pens of Pigeons, with shelves against one wall on which 

 were placed 202 cages of Canary birds. One healthy sign of this 

 Show at once caught the eye — so far as we could observe there were 

 only three empty pens in the whole Exhibition, and we could not but 

 admire the conscientious care i>estowed on the specimens sent for ex- 

 hibition. They were not only accommodated with large and roomy 

 pens, bat systematic&Uy fed and watered, and a sufficient stafi' of 

 police, besides the members of the Committee, kept a watch over the 

 whole. 



The extra prizes awarded at this Show, like those at the -Johnstone 

 Show, were something new — viz., timepieces, some in marble, others 

 in gilt stands — next to money certainly one of the most useful as well 

 as ornamental articles that could be given. The appreciation of these 

 prizes was at once seen by the numerous entries for them. 



Poultry. — Spanish was a very e.xcellent class, the prize birds being 

 remarkable for their combs and purity of face. Many elegant and pro- 

 mising birds stood In this class ; the special prize being for the best 

 cock or cockerel, was awarded to the second-prize pen, the cockerel 

 contained therein being the best. 



Dorkings. — The first-prize uen was the best bird in the class, and 

 though the entries were not numerous, the birds as a whole were good. 

 The third-prize pen contained birds of great promise, and they will, 

 no doubt, take a higher place at another time. Of Brahma.'^ or Oochiii- 

 CJtinas there were some fair birds. The cock which gained the first 

 prize and also the timepiece for the best cock in Classes 2, 3, and 4, 

 seemed to us to be rather long in the limb. Scotch Greys were a very 

 good class, but breeders should endeavour to produce birds with a 

 deeper black and purer white than those which are now generally ex- 

 hibited. Golden -spangled Uanihureihs were remarkably good, and 

 must have given the Judges considerable trouble. Pen 85, commended 

 (W. A. Hyde), was very much admired, and had it not been for the 

 faulty ear of the hen might have had a more honourable place. 

 Oolden-pencilled Hamburghs were also very good ; the prize birds bid I 



fair to hold their place at any show. Among Silver-spangled Ham- 

 borghs were some excellent birds. The first-prize cock, which gained 

 also the timepiece for the best cock in Classes 7 and 8, was faoltless, 

 with the exception of having a rather heavy comb. The hen he "Was 

 matched with we considered a little too dark. The third-piize hen was 

 in marking almost perfect, and many other birds, had they been well 

 matched, would have caused the Judges no little trouble. Silver- 

 pencilled Ilamburghs were also vei*y good, the hens in some cases 

 being of great merit. As a whole they were much admired by visitors. 

 Poland^ constituted but a weak class ; the first and second-prize pens 

 were, however, very good. Polands being so constantly hoodwinked, 

 and, therefore, so nnable to take care of themselves, do not seem to bo 

 kept in any great numbers at the present day. 



Of Ooineik^re was a fair class containing some fine birds but badly 

 matched, a great drawback to exhibitors. The first-prize cock was a 

 good and powerful bird, but hardly fine enough in the head. Many of 

 the smaller birds were very elegant in form. Game Bantams were aa 

 usual the largest and best class in the Show, and the Judges had great 

 difliculty in making their awards. The elegance of shape and grace of 

 motion seemed to attract the lady visitors to this pretty class. Black 

 Bantams with the exception of the prize birds were not quite so good 

 as we have seen. Of Bantams, " Any other variety," there was a 

 very pretty class ; the variety of feather and shape afforded a complete 

 contrast to all the other classes, and from the elevated and isolated 

 position of the pens the class formed a pretty little show of itself. 



Of Aylesbury Dacles indifferent biids were shown ; a cross would 

 be of great advantage to the exhibitors. Among Konen Ducks the 

 prize birds were as fine as we have seen at any show in the kingdom. 



Pigeons. — We were not prepared for the sight presented to us by 

 the extent of this department ; both in numbers and quality it would 

 have done credit to a city show. The Pouter pens were arranged 

 opposite the entrance, and presented a most imposing line. Both in 

 the old and young classes of Pouters there were buds of the most 

 perfect form. In many cases the markings were almost perfect ; as a 

 rule the colours were good. Reds being the worst. The most fasti- 

 dious fancier of Pouters might have stocked his loft with birds from 

 this Show. A-n unusual appearance attracted us to a pen in the old 

 class (Pouters any colour), containing a pair of splendid birds in high 

 training. Thev were valued in the catalogue at £50. Worth the 

 money ? Well^ but they were artificially coloured to the very eyes, 

 and after all they would have held their position had the colour and 

 " finish " been left with the vendors. This was not the only pen 

 tampered with in this class ; but for the present we abstain from pub- 

 lishing names, in the hope that some step will be taken on an early 

 day which will put an end to this dishonest practice. We are sorry to 

 say that in the second class, " Pouters bred 1869," several birds had 

 also been tampered with, and some of the pens contained old birds. 

 A placard was posted in the Hall, which read as foUows : " Young 

 Pouters. Many birds in this class disqualified as old, also for being 

 tampered with.'" Space does not allow ns to describe as we could 

 desire the numerous specimens of merit exhibited. The fanciers in 

 the west of Scotland are advancing in Carriers ; the class for these 

 was not inferior to that for the Ponters, and the principal part were 

 entered by Kilmarnock fanciers. The Blacks were certamly the best ; 

 some single birds in Duns very fine, but, unfortunately, several pairs 

 were Ul-matched. The young class was the best we have ever seen at 

 anv local Scotch show. We were rather doubtful that the cock m the 

 first-prize pen (Dnn) was a last year's bird. The second and third- 

 prize pens, shown by Mr. White, Paisley, were beautiful ; both black 

 heads and necks of exquisite form, and the fine, bold, arrow-shaped 

 bills are sure to become the perfect " box " as they become older. 

 There was a good cUss of Short-faced Tumblers, Mr. fielding carry- 

 ing off the first prize, and Mr. Mair, Kilmarnock, the second ; but 

 some of the pairs were not in very good order. Common Tumbleis 

 were an exceUent class. We were glad to see the prize money for this 

 class the same as for the others, as it encourages young fanciers to 

 prosecute this pleasant and instrnctive pastim--. Almost every variety 

 in colour and marking was here exhibited. Among the Fantails stood 

 some rare specimens. The first-prize birds had saddled tails and 

 were large, and their motion perfect. One bird, shown by Mr. Kerr, 

 KUmamock, was a gem— pure white— but it had a miserable mate. 

 Jacobins were a poor class. We are rather fastidious as to this bird, 

 and seldom see the elegant Swallow shaped bird of olden times. 

 Barbs were a very good class : the Blacks by far the best. Of 1 rum- 

 peters several sup'erior pairs were shown ; all were perfect in the teet, 

 some wanting in rose and crest. This class of birds is decidedly im- 

 proving. There was a good deal of dressing among the^ Nuns, and 

 several birds were disqualified. The " Any other variety class con- 

 tained a diversity of beautiful Pigeons, all in fine order. Without 

 doubt, the most interesting were the Uttle white foreign Owls, shomi 

 by Mr Fielding, with their sweet little chubby faces. 1 he same birds 

 appeared formeriy at another show, and an old and ardent fancier, on 

 looking at them then, said " They are just Uke things made for kiss- 

 ing " Bv-the-by, he was, is, and is likely to remain, a bache or. 



The Canary department was a most interesting one ; the birds 

 all so tame, clean, and in perfect feather. We think it a pity that the 

 Glasgow fancy Canary is not better known in the south ; the small 

 biUsand beautifuUy rounded heads, narrow shoulders, and long taper- 

 ing tails, aU forming one perfect curve-moving on long neatly-set 

 limbs, and displaying a grace of form and motion which could not 



