320 



JODENAIi OP HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



( Apnl 22, 1875. 



eaves of the roof and the walls of the bniUling, divided by 14 gives 

 7 j feet to each post, the holes to receive them to be dug 18 inches 

 deep. Be as careful as possible in fixing the four corner posts 

 that they are perfectly accurate, then proceed to dig the holes 

 the same depth to receive the remaining ten posts. 



Having fixed the posts for the outer walls then proceed to dig 

 five holes 2 feet deep, for the five centre 10 feet posts marked e, 

 leaving 8 feet above the ground to support the top of roof ; when 

 securely done take two 12 feet, 3 by li, and let them in at the 

 top of the five centre posts. Proceed next to fix 2 12 feet, 3 by 

 2J at the top of the front posts, Nos. 1, 1-1, 13, 12, and 11, and 

 2 12 feet, 3 by 2J on the top of back post, Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 

 8, 9, and 10. All is now ready for the rafters, 24 by 5 feet, 2J by 

 IJ, half in front half at the back. 



The skeleton of the building is now ready. Begin next with 

 fixing the feather-edge boards, 9 by 4 cot deals gives five boards 

 to a deal, or forty-five boards 12 feet long, 9 inches wide, allow 

 1 inch for overlapping, takes nine boards all round, rather more 

 for the gable ends, 12 feet boards is a convenient size, cut them 

 in half they fit the two ends, and cut a board in three will be 

 rather more than enough for the two ends of the fowl house. 

 Under the shed allow 2 feet 3 inches for doors. Next proceed 

 with fixing the glazed window 4 feet by 3, or any other convenient 

 size and pass to the inside of the house ; first fix a doable lining 

 of boards for the centre to divide the two houses, and then line 

 the inside back, front, and gable end walls, use the wood for 

 the purpose from the 6 by 12 feet white deals, fonr cut plain 

 boards, yon can make your doors from the same, and fix them 

 with ordinary hinges and locks. Place your perches in such a 

 position as shall be for the comfort of the birds, so as not to in- 

 terfere with the nests upon the floor, place the dust bath under 

 the shed in the corner opposite the doors. Everything is now 

 ready for the thatcher. Make a bargain with him at so much 

 per 100 square, and use the best wheat straw. For the outer 

 wall of house I have found pine varnish a cheap and excellent 

 substitute for paint. Paint or tar is very objectionable for fowl 

 honses. The cost will be 2s. 6d. or 3s.— J. P. Milleb, Enfield. 



SIZE AND TBEATMENT OF BANTAMS. 



In rearing these interesting pets the chief aim is to maintain 

 the diminutive character or to reduce the size, if possible, as 

 they seem to possess a natural tendency, under ordinary treat- 

 ment, to exceed their parents in proportions, which they gene- 

 rally do, unless prevented by scientific means. 



The prevailing idea is to accomplish this by late hatching, 

 which has the effect intended in some cases, marred perhaps 

 by preventing at the same time the complete growth of the late 

 tail feathers, which will be considered a defect in the show pen ; 

 80 that this plan of depending on the effects of cold weather to 

 stop the growth may be considered as only partially successful. 

 Another process for accomplishing this object is to diminish 

 both the quantity and quality of food, which seems readily to 

 occur to amateurs ; but as some varieties of the Bantam class 

 are somewhat delicate, the partial starvation process has the 

 effect of either causing them to become still more so, or of eventu- 

 ally killing them. They really require a stimulating and nourish- 

 ing diet, selected with a view of rejecting the bone-forming 

 ingredients. The iirst soft food for tender young chicks should 

 be bread crumbs scalded with milk, and then squeezed nearly 

 dry, so as to readily scatter in fine bits, for which the birds 

 have a decided relish, not forgetting to mix with this food a 

 little pepper for the weakly birds, especially during cold and 

 stormy weather. To follow this feed, say after they are four or 

 five days old, we would recommend well-boiled rice, salted to 

 taste ; when nearly cold incorporate it with sufficient coarse 

 ground barleymeal, and occasionally a very little oatmeal, to 

 form into crumbs or pellets, which may be fed without waste, a 

 little at a time, and as often as relished ; which, with the addi- 

 tion of other food which does not make bone rapidly, will carry 

 them through either early or late seasons most BQCoessfully and 

 humanely. — {American Fanciers' Journal.) 



GREAT HARWOOD SHOW OF POULTRY, &c. 



The Show of the Great Harwood Agricultural Society was held 

 on the 15th inst., being somewhat earlier than in some previous 

 years. The entries for poultry were not large, but many of the 

 classes contained good specimens. Single Game cocks were 

 poor, but the class for pairs made amends, the first-prize pair 

 being about the most stylish pair of chickens we remember to 

 have noticed last season, as also in head and colour properties. 

 The second were adult birds, the hen a gem, cock good in colour, 

 but not in good order, and without one sickle feather. Highly- 

 commended pen good in all points but the cock's breast, which 

 was too red. Gold-pencilled Hamburghs good ; the first-prize 

 pen about perfect, as also the Silvers. The Gold-spangles very 

 good, notably the first-prize hen, which is about the best we 

 ever saw. Silver-spangles were a good even lot, and all noticed. 

 la Cochins all were poor except the winners, wliioh were Par- 



tridge. Dorkings bad, but Spanish good, the hens especially, 

 although the first-prize cock was a capital bird. Brahmas were 

 a bad lot with the exception of the three noticed pens, Messrs. 

 Ansdeil's and Smith's pens being empty. In the Variety class 

 Malays were placed first and Black Hamburghs second ; there 

 were some good Houdaus, except that they had the Creve comb. 

 Single Game Bantam cocks were not a good class, Black Beds 

 winning first and second. The next class was, however, better, 

 the first going to a grand pair of Black Rose-combed, second to 

 good Piles, and third to Brown Beds ; we would, however, advise 

 a revision of these classes. Geese, Turkeys, and Ducks were 

 few in number, but the birds good in most of the classes. In 

 the Selling class a nice pair of i?artridge Cochins were first, and 

 Gold-spangles second. 



Pigeons were a good entry, many of the classes being heavy. 

 Pouter cocks were first. The pens for this variety being rather 

 too small they did not show well. First was a good Blue, and 

 second a Black Pied. In hens a smart Blue was again first, and 

 White second. In Carrier cocks both the winners were Duns ; 

 the first a large and strong young bird, second good in all points 

 but eye- wattle, which was a little deficient, the others noticed 

 being Blacks. In hens the first was Black, and second Dun. 

 There was hut one class for Tumblers, the first award being 

 made to a capital Almond cock, and second to a Kite, a Blue 

 Bald being very highly commended. Barbs a good class. First 

 a Bed cock, evidently young, about perfect, and in the pink of 

 bloom ; second a Red hen, good in all respects, but not in as 

 fine order as the above. The whole class noticed. English 

 O wis a fair class of twenty-two entries, the winners Blue cocks, 

 the first a perfect-headed bird, but would be all the better of a 

 little more gullet. Dragoons were very even in quality, and the 

 contest was close, first and second being carried off by Blues, 

 and third by a Red. There were, however, several birds that 

 partook too much of the style and carriage of a Carrier. Antwerps 

 a fair class. Silver Dun Short-faces being the winners, several 

 otherwise excellent birds showing an inclination to a purl or 

 frill at the base of the gullet. For Fantails the pens were 

 rather small, so that the birds did not show well ; the winners 

 were White. Trumpeters very good ; first Mottles and second 

 Black, all the class being highly commended. Nuns good and 

 clean, and the winners free from trimming. Magpies also a 

 good class, the winners, particularly small and neat, were — 

 first Bed, second Black. In the Variety class the first was a 

 good White Owl, and second a Black Fairy Swallow; and in the 

 Selling class the prizes were awarded to a Bed-splashed Tumbler 

 and an Archangel. 



In Rabbits the Lop-eared class was unsurpassed by any we 

 have ever seen at an agricqltural show, every specimen being 

 full of character. First was a Black-and-white Lop, not one of 

 the largest, but of high quality, well marked and particularly 

 silky in ears, 22 by 4} ; second a Tortoiseshell in fine bloom, 

 21 J by 4i ; third, the largest Babbit in the Show, fine and sleek, 

 but short in ear — viz., 20j by 43, a Tortoiseshell; very highly 

 commended a Black-and-white doe, by far the best in the Show, 

 but in woeful condition, 22 J by 4 5. This we were informed 

 was the cup-winner at Hull, but the condition must be altered 

 ere she can win again. The highly-commended Rabbits all 

 measured well, and it would not have been difficult to find 

 places for many other prizes. In the next class first was a 

 fairly good Himalayan, second a pretty good Belgian Hare, and 

 third an Angora, this class completing the list. The birds were 

 well attended to by an excellent staff directed by the Hon. 

 Sec, Mr. Aspinal Clayton, in whose hands the sole management 

 was invested. 



Game— 1, W. Ormerod, Todmorden. 2 and he, C. W. Brierley, Middleton. 

 Cock.—l and 2, C. W. Brierley 



BA-MBVRQHS.—GoldenpcncUled.—l and he, G. & J. Dnckworth. Church. 2, H. 

 Pickles, Earby, Leeds. tiiiver-pcncilled—l.J. Robinson, Garstang. 2 and /k;, 

 H. Pickles. bolden.i<pangled.—l and 2. G. & J. Duckworth, he, H. Pickles. 

 Silver-npaJiQled.—l.J. Fielding, Newchnrch. 2, J. Kobinson. he,K. Pickles; 

 J. Fielding. 



CiicniN-i'HiNAS.— 1, A. Bamford. Middieton. 2, T. Aspden, Church, he, 'R. 

 Bowker, BillinRton ; R. Holdinp, Osw;.ldiwiHt!e. c, R. Bowker. 

 DoBKiNos.— 1, J. Stott, Healey 2, W. H. King, Rochdale. 

 Spanish.— BiacJt.—l. E. Siddall, Kawtenstall. 2, G. Barnes, Blackburn, he, 

 G. Barnes ; D. Ashworth, Great Harwood. 



Brahmas.-I, C. Holt, Rochdale. 2, E. Ryding, Eywood, Blackburn, vhe, G. 

 Barnes. , „ 



Anv otheb Variety.— 1. J. Sanderson, Downham. 2, J. RoDinaon. Itc,u, 

 Pickles : G. Anderton, Accrington. 



Game Bantams,— 1, G. Anderton. 2, J. Saul, Preston, he, W. Shenton, 

 Lancaster, e, R. Almond, Salford ; Billmgham & Co.. Burnley. 



Bastams.— 1, J. A. Dakin. 2, F. Steel, HaUfax. 3, Billingbam & Co. c, A. 

 Taylor, Blackburn. 



Geese.— 1, J. Honlker, Blackburn. 2. J. Christie, jun , Clayton-le-Moora. 

 l>uoK3.—Jyle^hury.— \ and 2, C. Holt, Rochdale. Rouen.— I, C. Holt. 2, J. 

 Houlker. Wild.—\, J. Wluttaker, Rishton. 2, T. Greenwood, Darwen. 

 Tl'Rkets.— 1, .1. Huulkcr. 2. .1. Robert, c, T. Greenwood. 

 Selling Class.- 1, C. W. Brierley. 2, G. & J. Duckworth, he, G. Bam 

 T. Aspden. 



PIGEONS. 

 Pouters or Croppers.— Cocfc.—l. H. Yardley, Biroiingham. 2, J. Richmond, 

 Oswaldtwistle. he, W. J. Warbarst. Staleybridge; W. Nottage, Northampton. 

 H<^n.— I, W. Nettage. 2, W. J. Warburst. c. J. Richmond. 



Carriebs.— Coct.— 1. W. Settnn. Blackbnrn. 2, H. Yardley. vhe, J. Stanley; 

 W. Sefton. he, .1. stiinlcy ; \V. Selton. Hen.— I, J. Stanley. 2, H. Yardley. 

 I'hcJ. Stanley; W.Si-non. (i,-, W. Sefton. „..„„,j. 



Tumblers.— I, J. (iarJuir, Preston. 2, W. J. Warhurst. vhe, T. & W. Oddie, 

 Brierlield. he, T. Chamley, Blackburn ; H. Yardley. 



