188 



JOURNAL OP HORTICULTUBE AND COTTAGE GARDENEB. 



[ Marcli 4, 1875. 



are certain signs of a cross, as also are yellow beaks and toe 

 nails. A small tail, too, should be looked upon with suspicion, 

 as a large and flowing tail is inseparable from a pure-bred Dork- 

 ing.^ The comb in the cock sometimes falls to one side or lops 

 behind ; both these are signs of lack of condition or health, and 

 are rainons in the show pen, as also is a bad twist or bend in 

 the comb, though a slight turn or " thumb mark " in the front 

 is not so important as in a Spanish cock. A crooked leg is not 

 at all an uncommon defect, and should be carefully looked to in 

 baying a bird ; but the feet as a rule are where the most at- 

 tention is required, as not only are corns found under the feet, 

 but the hind toes are frequently badly set on. The big front 

 toes too often curve inwards, and the front toes are sometimes 

 set too close together instead of being well spread. Thi-se two 

 last are bad defects. Spurs are found outside too high up, or at 

 the back of the leg. This blemish is fast becoming common, 

 and requires to be looked to. Any dark tinge or sootiness in 

 the feet is certain disqualification, as also are feathered legs. 



AN EAELT AND CONSTANT SUPPLY OF EGGS. 



Thz following question has often given rise to anxious thought 

 and consideration :— What is the best food to produce an early 

 and constant supply of eggs at the smalL^.st cost ? Ground oats, 

 faarleymeal mixed with fine pollard, poultrymeal, ground maize, 

 &c., have each and all had a fair and patient trial as soft food for 

 morning feeding, with whole buckwheat, barley, maize, oats, 

 &c., for the last feed. The result has never been satisfactory. 

 This last autumn I have been feeding some bullocks on wheat 

 with white peas ground and mixed together as their principal 

 food, with the best possible results; and when I made up my 

 pens of fowls this season I determined to use the same kind of 

 mixture (ground wheat and peas), giving it to them as their 

 morning feed, made as stiff as possible overnight rather than 

 just before feeding. This practice is founded upon the same 

 principle as pastry made the day previous to baking is better 

 than that made ana put into the oven immediately. For the 

 last feed I give the fowls whole wheat. 



Now for the result. They have exceeded my most sanguine 

 expectations in giving me an early, abundant, and constant 

 supply of eggs beyond anything I have before experienctd. 

 During the severe weather of December, when the ground was 

 covered with snow, I think I had more eggs laid than usual. 

 Another result of early eggs has been a brood of chickens on the 

 3l8t of January, and they are doing remarkably well in an open 

 coop on the ground, and fed in the same way as the fowls. 



In conclusion, I now come to the cost. Kivett wheat can be 

 bought at 38s. per quarter of 504 lbs., white peas at 42s. per 

 quarter of 504 lbs., grinding 3s. per quarter; consequently I 

 purchase a food under 10s. per hundredweight containing ISi per 

 cent, of flesh-forming substances. If these facts interest your 

 readers I will tell them how I built my fowl house, the kind of 

 run they have, &c.— J. P. Milleb, Enfield. 



HOUDANS AS LAYERS. 

 I HAVE always advocated this breed as good although not aS 

 very early layers, but I am utterly at a loss to account for mine 

 this year. I have not had (February 27th) one egg from them 

 as yet. I have thirteen birds — seven old hens (that is, of 1873), 

 and sis pullets of various hatchings in 1874. My house is warm, 

 they have a good run of five acres, are in capital condition, and 

 yet this is the state of the case. Besides these I have four 

 common barndoor hens for sitting, and every one of these is 

 laying. Can anyone explain the cause of this? Is it to be 

 attributed to the cold and wet season 1 for i( so it interferes a 

 great deal with one's estimate of the value of the Houdan as a 

 layer. Last year at this time I had an abundant quantity of 

 eggs, and now not one. I see symptoms of some of them ap- 

 proaching the laying season— combs enlarging and turning red, 

 &o., but it is rather hard to have to wait until March for them. 

 Has any Houdan breeder any similar experience, or can any 

 " cunning man " give any solution of the puzzle ?— D., Deal. 



MELTON MOWBRAY SHOW OF POULTRY, &c. 



On September 25th, 18C2, Melton held its first Show of poultry. 

 We have before us our second volume, in which we find a full 

 account of that Exhibition ; after that the good people of Melton 

 went to sleep and slumbered quietly, dreaming we hopa 

 pleasantly. This, however, was not to go on for ever like our 

 friend the brook, for after a time thev awoke and once more set 

 to work over a poultry show. The Exhibition which closed on 

 Friday evening last was their first winter Show, and we con- 

 gratulate the Committee on their Exhibition. It was held in 

 the Corn Exchange, a room admirably adapted for the purpose 

 in every way. 328 pens of poultry. Pigeons, and Rabbits of 

 more than ordinary quality made a smart little Show. The 

 entry fees amounted to ,£2 or £i more than the prizes given, 



which was a good beginning, and we hope the Show conse- 

 quently paid well, and that the schedule for next year will be 

 more extensive and the prizes larger. The Rev. G. F. Hodson 

 awarded the prizes, and his judgmg gave in most cases great 

 satisfaction. In looking over the prize list of this Show held 

 last week, and that in 18G2, we can only find one name occurring 

 in both, we allude to Mrs. Woodcock of Rearsby, and that lady 

 exhibited then as now Buff Cochins. We like to hear of people 

 adhering to their first loves ; but this utter absence of the same 

 names in two shows held barely thirteen years apart shows how 

 great changes do occur in the poultry fancy. 



Dorkings came first on the list, six pens ; nothing first-class. 

 The winning pen, however, was of good Coloured birds. 

 Cochina came next with two classes. In Bafl's the winners were 

 all good. We thought the third-prize pair might have gone in 

 between the first and second, but there wa? not much wrong. 

 10 (Wiuwood), a good cock ; 12 (Woodcock), a nice hen. In 

 Cochins of Any other variety Whites won first. They were 

 wonderfully good and well shown. We never remember seeing 

 a better pair for colour. Second and third-priza pairs were 

 good, and several other capital pens wero in this class. Dark 

 Brahmas made a good show. The first-prize pair we liked 

 immensely ; second and third also good. We should have liked 

 to have seen a few high commendations in this class. In Lights 

 the first were well ahead. With the exception of the winning 

 pens this collection was poor. Game, Black and Brown Reds, 

 mustered well, and the quality was very good. We liked the 

 third-prize pen very much, and thought it might have stood 

 higher, though the first and second were both smart pens. 

 48 (Bell) contained a capital hen. The Variety Game class 

 was poor, and only first prize was awarded. Spanish were 

 admirable; the winners well placed and really good. Spangled 

 Hainhurghs mustered seventeen pens, first going to capital 

 Golds and second to Silvers. Pencilled Hainburgha wero good, 

 especially the Golden. Houdans were one of the best classes in 

 the Show. The first-prize pen truly grand, and in admirable con- 

 dition ; second also good. 119 (Valance), a grand hen. We pre- 

 ferred this pen for third place almost. Of the fix noticed pens 

 four came out of Kent. Game Bantams were good, Mr. Anns' 

 second and third-prize pairs were cheap at catalogue price of 

 i'2 2s. each. In the Variety Bantam class Laced were first, good 

 Blacks second and third. 148 (Woodcock), good Japanese. The 

 " refuge " was a very large and varied class. Splendid Creves 

 were first and third, and good Golden Poles second. 103 (Kew), 

 lustrous Black Hamburghs ; 155 (Cros«), a grand Crcve hen ; 

 161 (Lias), fine Silver Polands ; 1G2 (Richardson), good Malay 

 cockerel. The Selling classes were large and the quality very 

 fair, good Game, Cochins, and Spanish winning the chief prizes. 

 Turkeys and Geese were small but good classes. Rouen and 

 Aylesbury Ducks capital, the former as usual the most jjleutif ul. 



Pigeons were only small classes. Mr. Yardley sent a good 

 team of birds. One of the best classes was the Archangels, and 

 we were glad to see a class for this most beautiful breed, which 

 generally gets such bad treatment at the hands of show pro- 

 moters. The first pair were lustrous, and a bargain at £2 2s. 

 Fanfails were good, both prizes going once more to Newark. 

 Jacobins only a poor lot. The Variety class was admirable. 

 There were twenty-one pens of really good birds. The winning 

 Tnrmpeters were fine, hut for second place we should have gone 

 to 272 (Allen), Yellow Dragoons. There were some cheap pairs 

 in the Sale class also. The awards were as follow :— 



DoRKiNos.— 1, W. H. Crewe, Etwell. Derby. 2, J. Rippin, Melton Mowbray. 

 3, S. W. HalUm, Whilwick, Leicester. 



Cochins.— Cinnawion or Buff.— I ami 2, Mrs. AlIsopp.WorceHter. C, H. Feast. 

 Swansea, he, Mrs. Woodcock. Leicester, c, E. Winwoo ), Worcester. Any 

 other variety —\. R. S. S. Woodi^ate, Pembnry. 2, 0, WUson, Langar, Elton. 

 8, R.'v. R. Storey. Derby, he, A. F. Faulkner, Tbrapstonu; f. Passmore , 

 Northampton : H. Feast, c, Mrs. Goodall, Melton Mowbray, 



BitABMas-— Durft.— 1, Dr. J. Holmes. ChostcrfioW. 2, L, C. C. R. Norria, 

 Trumpinston. Cambridge. 3, J. H. Turner. Sheffield, c, J. Gunn, Coalville, 

 Leicester. Light— I, R. E. Horsfall, Qrassendale Priorv. 2, C. Wilson, Langar 

 Elton, 3, N, Feast, 



Game —Black or Brotrn Beds.— I, W. T, Everard, Hatton Grange, Ashby-de_ 

 la-Zoucb. -2, J. Mee, Ashby-de-la-Zoneh. 3. J, Jenkiaa, Eltbam, he, E, Bell 

 Burton-on-Trent ; J. Jenkins : J, Stokes, Melton Mowbray, Any other variety' 

 -I.E.Bell, 2audS, Wiilibeld, 



Spanish,— 1 and 2, — Allsopp, 3, E, Winwood, Worcester, vhc, M. Brown, 

 Ab Kettleby, Melton Mowbray, c. M. Brown : .S. W, Hallaiu, Whitwick. 



Hamhurghs, — Go/d or Sili^er-apanoled. — 1, Mrs, lilakeman, Tettenball, 

 Wolverhampton. 2 and c, S. W. Hallam, 3, .1. Ward, Ashby-de-la-Zoucb, he, 

 T. H.Turner. Sheffield, Gold or .Silver-penejltcd.—l and 3, C. ,Tudson, Peck- 

 bam, 2, S, W, Hallara. Tic, A, F, Faulkner, Thrapstone, c. J, Ward. 



Houdans.— 1, W, Dring, Favershain, 2, F, Lake, Rodmersbani, S, S. "W. 

 Thomas, Sketty, Swansea, vhc. W H. Crewe, F.twell, Derby, he, V,\ Cntlack, 

 inn., Littleport, Ely; Mrs, K, R. Valance, Sittingboume. e, R, A. Boissier, 

 Peuhhurot, 



Bantams.— (7a?Hc,—l, G. Cell. Burton-on-Trent, 2 and 3. T, W, Anna, Clap- 

 ham, ftc, J, Richardoon, Loiigliborouph c, Heme A Hoekadav, St. Austell, 

 Any other variety.— I. Mrs. Wootton. Mapperley. 2, K. H, Ash'ton, Mottram, 

 iVlancbester. 3, WingHeld & Andrews, Worcester, /ic, Mrs. Woodcock, c, J. 

 T. llinks. Humberstone; Mrs. Wootton, 



ANY OTHE^ VAHiETy,- ]. W, Cutlack, juu. (Creve-Ccsur), 2. G. W. Boothby 

 (South Golden Poland), 8, W, Dring (Creve-Coeur), vhe, Mrs, Cross, Brig^' 

 (Creve-Coear), he, M, Kew, Market Oyerton ( Black Harabargbs) ; G, Lias, Par 

 Station (Silver Poland); J. Richardson, Loughborough (Malays), c, J. Bailey, 

 Melton Mowbray (Black Hamburgh). 



Sellin-o Class.— Cocfc or Cockerel.— \, Mrs, Altsopp (noohins), 2, W, & J, 

 Honey (Stanstells Gane), 3, M. Kew, Market Overton (Malays), he, J. H. 

 Turner. Sheffield (Brahma); T, Wild, jun.. Burton Lazars, c, W. Boothby 

 (South Golden Polands); J. T. Parker, Northampton; H. Yardley, Binning* 



