Soptember 17, 1874. ] 



JOURNAL OF HOETIOULTDRE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



2131 



of the same parish, Miss Milward, took the first prize in adult 

 poultry with a capital pen of Buff Cochins, the hen of which was 

 particularly pood. The Cage Bird Show attracted much atten- 

 tion, and deservedly. 



Lastly, let me make a few suggestions, and mark a fault or 

 two. The space given to the Poultry Show, the playtjround of 

 Sydney College, was scarcely large enough. The tents — there 

 being more than one was unfortunate and confusing ; one good 

 large tent is the thing, not stuffy small ones. Then the num bers 

 did not follow each other, and the Local classes and Selling 

 class were not readily found. The want of ventilation was 

 terrible ; indeed, I was roasted in Bath streets, then stewed in 

 the poultry tents, and afterwards nearly drowned in one of the 

 heaviest downpours I ever had the ill-luck to be iu, and many 

 hundreds like myself were wet to the skin, and many, I fear, like 

 myself, sufferers for days afterwards. I went to Bath to be burnt, 

 boiled, drowned, but would venture again to see such another 

 Show. The awards were not up till late, and I had to leave 

 ■without a prize list. All this was quite excusable in a first show. 

 Then the payment ; half-a-crown to the Gardens, and a shilling 

 more the poultry, is rather high. I am glad the Show took 

 place, and no doubt it paid well, for the numbers were great; it 

 was a jam or a cram, and the elbows of one's neighbours came 

 painfully, not playfully into one's ribs. It is a grand sight to 

 behold such a well-attended Show. May Bristol equal it iu this 

 respect. There is room enough for all in the best place of exhi- 

 bition I am acquainted with. Let there be cats and cage birds, 

 and I have no doubt there will be a throng of lookers-on. — 

 Wiltshire Rector. 



STALYBPJDGE POULTRY SHOW. 



It only seems last month that we were on the Eoodee at 

 Chester for the meeting of the Manchester and Liverpool Agri- 

 cultural Society, which held its 1874 meeting at Slalybridge 

 on the 9th, 10th, and 11th inst., but twelve months have again 

 elapsed, and the Society meets again fresher and more pro- 

 sperous than ever. We know Lancashire and Yorkshire are 

 famous for their shows, but we were totally unprepared for the 

 Stalybridge ovation. From the moment we set out from the 

 station till when we got to the show-ground the flags and the 

 banners, the spectators and the vehicles, ceased not. As we drove 

 along we passed under bunting of every conceivable colour, tri- 

 umpiial arches, and evergreen wreaLhiu.;. The whole place seemed 

 to turn out to do honour to the Slio w. When we got into the Show 

 ground it certainly was muddy, m,ost muddy; but then the view! 

 Why, the hills all round made us fancy we were among the hills 

 of the Lucerne Lake, and presently, about midday, when the 

 sun came out and the clouds rolled away, the country seemed 

 too pretty almost for Lancashire ; but Lancashire it was. We 

 knew when we left London and got into the train at Euston, 

 when the long journey was hideously looming before us, that 

 presently we should be enjoying om-aelves among the best birds 

 and truest English fanciers, for we may always depend on good 

 stuff at this Society's exhibitions. Those £3 first prizes always 

 pay, and we were not deceived here — the quality was as usual 

 admirable. The management of tents, &c., was left to the 

 Messrs. Jennison of Manchester, and for such work their names 

 are household wcrds. 



Dorkiti(/s came first in the list. Dorkings all huddled into 

 one class. This must have been a mistake. Why, when this 

 Society met at Bolton and Chester, we saw Silver-Grey classes. 

 How is it, ye Silver-Grey breeders, that this class is no more ? 

 But in the one general class the specimens were good — nice, 

 heavy, square-shaped birds, but the spurs looked coming wrong. 

 This must go against a bird, and we would unhesitatingly pass 

 over a bird thus affected. /S^jafjis/i. mustered very poorly, and 

 all the cockerels seemed to have taken the sheep of Little 

 Bopeep for their ideals, as all had left their tails behind them. 

 Both the first and second were good, the third not nearly so 

 promising. Cochins, Buff and Partridge, were truly superb. 

 Surely the cayenne mania must have also seizeil the breeders of 

 the Buffs. We never saw such colour. First, second, third, and 

 highly commended all good and rightly placed; the second 

 were so young. They will grow, all well, into little elephants. 

 This pair of birds belonged to Mr. Crabtree, but were shown 

 in Captain Heatou's jjen. We congratulate him on his pur- 

 chase. Mr. Taylor's two pullets looked quite exquisite. We 

 look forward to the Palace and Birmingham to see many pens 

 of equally good pullets, however, for Stoke Park has bred some 

 hot ones as usual, and the competition must be severe. In 

 Partridges, Mr. Taylor's cockerel was superb in colour, shape, 

 and feather, but a little shaky in comb. We hope he will 

 outgrow this. The cockerel in the second-prize pen was 

 nice in shape. Third also good, and young. Mr. Tudman had 

 two nice pens highly commended, but the pullets looked oldish. 

 Dark Brahmas were very grand. First, second, and third, all 

 looked like the Greeting stamp. The first were perfect all round. 

 The second cockerel was almost as good as the first; but the 

 pullets not up to the first. The third had a comb we did not 



much fancy, but he was splendidly grown. Two or three good 

 birds were highly commended, notably so those shown by the 

 owner of the first-prize pen. The Light were not up to those at 

 Bath. First and second were well placed, but we noticed a great 

 inclination to yellow. We did not think the Game quite so good 

 as usual. We liked the first-prize pen of Brown Reds as well as 

 any. The first and second IJlack-breasted were good chickens. 

 Hainiurghs were truly a splendid collection. Messrs. Beldou 

 and Long produced their best, and very good was their best. 

 The cockerel in the second-prize pen of Golden-pencilled 

 was much the smartest in the class, and the pullet a beauty. 

 Before the awards were up we spotted this pen for first. The 

 pullets in the hiehlv commended pens were both good. In 

 Silver-pencils the awirds seemed quite right. We fancied all 

 the pullets a little too light on the breast, but they were a truly 

 nice lot. In Gol i^n-spau^lid the first were well placed; the 

 cockerel a beauiy, and the hen, too, in lovely condition and 

 feather. The second w^-.re much like them, looked almost 

 related. In Silver-.><pang;es the first were grand, as good as we 

 ever saw, but we should have placed Mr. Long's highly com- 

 mended pen second or third at least. The cockerel is a bit too 

 light on the breast, but he is a noble bird. We did not care for 

 the comb of the second-prize cockerel. One of the birds in the 

 third-prize pen had white legs. The Black were all good. First 

 were splendid in colour, shape, and comb. It their faces will 

 only keep a good colour they must win again. The second and 

 third were capital, colour so good. Pnlish were most satisfactory. 

 AH the prizes went to Golds. There was a nice pen of White- 

 crested Blacks, but the cock's lail was on one side, or they 

 would have been in the list. Houdans were splendid, pen after 

 pen of good birds. The third-prize pen struck us as large as 

 any. All the birds were very dark. We hope they will not lose 

 their quaint mottled plumage. In the Any other variety class, 

 the first went to large, well-grown. White Cochins, heavily 

 feathered, and good all round. Malays of great merit won 

 second, and White Cochins again third ; the cockerel raw-look- 

 ing and yellow, the pullet with inside leg feathering. Thip 

 latter feature we look on as almost a disqualification. White 

 Dorkings with miserable combs were highly commended. Therq 

 was another pen of White Cochins in this class, the pullet a 

 good one, but the cockerel a beast. We never saw so hideous a 

 Cochin comb. We thiuk this Society most shortsighted not t<» 

 give a class to this most popular variety. We are certain they 

 would muster as strongly aa their Buff and Partridge brethren. 

 Game Bantams were a bonny lot. The first Piles, and second 

 Dackwings were admirable. In the Bantam variety class were 

 several good Blacks. A pair or two of Sobrights (silver gilt and 

 silver white), and a perfect pen of Silkies. 



Duoks were wonderful in number, quantity, feather, and con- 

 dition. We should like to see Mr. Fowler's first Aylesbury 

 drake on the table. He would look like a Michaelmas Goose. 

 In the Variety Duck class a pen of the nicest Call Ducks we ever 

 saw, won third. We should like to see this very pretty little 

 water bird more kindly used at the Judges' hands. Messrs. 

 Fowler and Walker divided the Geese honours. Goodness, what 

 a lot of carriage those birds must cost ! The poultry were judged 

 by Mr. E. Teebay, and the satisfaction most general. 



The Pigeons were poor. We never knew there were classes ' 

 for them. They were not iu our schedule, nor in those of 

 friends, consequently we do not believe it was generally known ; 

 anyhow, the exhibition was wretched as regards numbers. Mr. 

 Warhurst walked away with most prizes, and mostly with good 

 specimens. The first Nuns were very nice, and the Antwerps 

 capital. The Pigeons were judged by Mr. Hedley. We only wish 

 he had had more birds to judge. We give the prize list below. 



Dorkings. — Grey.— 1, G. Fox, Haietield, Wi mslow. 2, J. Stott, Healey, 

 Eochdiile. B. T. E Ktll, Wetheiby. /ic, J. Wallier. 



^p^NIsH.— jBZacfc.— 1, H- WiHiinsun. Eaiby, bkipton. 2, H. Beldou, Goitstock, 

 Bingley. S, S L. Edwards, Tarporley. 



Cochin-Chinas. —iJiiiT or Ciiiimmon.—l and 3, W. A. Taylor. Manchester. 2, 

 Capt. Heatou, Worsley. Maucheatcr. he, C. SidKwick (2). Partridgt-.— i and S, 

 W- A. Taylor. 2, C. bidRwick. /ic, R. A. Tudman ; E. 1 udman ; C. Sidf,'Wick. 



Bf^AHfliA PooTRAS. -Darfc,— 1. A. Rigg. Woeltun. Liverpool. 2, T. F. Ansdell, 

 r.owley Mount, St. Helen's. 3. Horace Lingwood. fretting, Needbam Market. 

 he. (ji. Maplts. jun.; T. Wakefield, c. G. Maples. Ligld—l and 2, Horace Ling, 

 woo^. 3, C. Morris, Cbester. ftc, E. Kendntb. jun : C. Morris. 



Game.— B!ncS-6rea.«(di Br.ds.—1 and 3. T. P. Lyon. 2. J, Fletcber. Stone- 

 clough. Browiobreaatcd Beds —1, H. Beldon. 2. J. Piatt, Swanlow, Winstord. 

 S.J.Wood, /ic, T. burgess. Atiy other vafiety.~l,T. P. Lyon, 2, J. Fietcber. 

 3, J F. Walton, Horncliffe, RawLenstall. 



Himioncus.— Golden-pencilled.— i and 3, H. Beldon. 2, J. Long, Bromley 

 Coriimou. /ic, W Clavlou. silver-peneiUed.—l3,a(ia,B.,Bei<ioB. 2, J. Long. 



BiaHvuoBa.— Golden-spangled— 1, W. A- Hyde. Hurst, Asbton-nnder-Lyne. 

 2. T, May. Wolveibampton, 3, H, Beldon, lie, J. Long. iiUver-sijangted,—! and, 

 2, H.B..idon. 3, G. Fielding, he, J. Long. 

 HjjiaORGHa.-Btec/c— 1, J. Long. 2 and3, C. Sidg'ick. lie, H. Beldon (2). 

 P"LisH.— 1 and S, J. Fearulty, Lowtou. 2. H. Beldon. /ic, J. Feamley. 

 Hr.i-DANS— 1. G W. Hibh,?rt. Goalev, H.>.dL.. 2, G. Bury, Llltle Beaton 

 Middleton. S, R. B. Wood, Utto.xeter. he. Rev. A. J. L Dobbin ; J. K Fowler., 

 ANY oraiE Variety— 1, K. S. S. Wood^iate, Pembury, Tnnbridge Wells. 

 2, Rev. A, G. Brooke. Sbrawardine Rectory, Shrewsbury. 3, J. K. Fowler, 



Aylesbury, he, 3, Robinson. „,,.., 



Game Bavtams.— Bfaefc-drfinted Eeds.—\ and 3. W, F. Addie. Preston. 2, W. 

 F. Entwisle. Westfield. Any variety except hlai-k-breaated Beds.—l, E. Walton. 



2, W. F. Entwisle. 3. J. Piatt, jun. he, W, F. Entwisle (2). 

 lii^TA-a-i.-Any variety except Game —1, H. Beldon 2. J. W. Morris, Rochdale 



3, J. Walker, he, K. S. s. Woodgate : R H. Asb'on (2). 



Docks.— J!oiif>!,—l and 3, T. Wakelleld, Golborno. 2, J. Walker, he, T. 

 Wakefield ; P. Unsworth ; A. Haslam. Aylesbury.— 1 and lie, J. K. Fowler. 2 and 



