18 



JOURNAL OF HOBTICDLTUEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEB. 



t Januaiy 1, 1874. 



talent would be useless on an emergency without men or stores, 

 so we know nothing that we could do would avail unless we 

 were supported by our subscribers and readers. To them we 

 tender our hearty thanks. 



In treating of poultry, and of those pursuits that are connected 

 with it, we have to view it in a light comparatively new, but one 

 that increases daily in importance. Poultry and Eabbits are 

 producing large quantities of food, and will produce more. In 

 the teeth of the fact that food is daily increasing in price, that it 

 is admitted to be scarce, we cannot ignore the evidence that the 

 amount hitherto raised only induces us to consider how much 

 more may be done by painstaking and judicious selection ; also 

 by a larger amount of encouragement given to those classes that 

 <are food-providers contributing both weight and quality. It is 

 often to be regretted that sliows seem organised more with a 

 ■view to bring together birds that are admirable for feather rather 

 than food. The question is so important that it cannot fail to 

 bring itself forward ; and when it is seen that poultry now enters 

 into the consumption of the artisan's household and into the 

 ■feeding of the people, it is worthy the consideration of all, that 

 they may devise the means by which increased production may 

 be attained. Taking the question of Rabbits when they are im- 

 ported by the ton, of eggs counted by hundreds of miUious, of 

 <jeese and Turkeys by thousands, consuming a great part of the 

 produce of Picardy and Normandy, we cannot help asking our- 

 selves whether some of the many thousands of pounds paid for 

 these things may not be kept at home, or whether, viewing 

 these things as trivial, we do not allow the idea to rob us of the 

 energy and perseverance that are the characteristics of our race. 

 In this shoit notice we do not purpose to go into the question, 

 but it must be done at some future time. 



A review of the poultry year is made easy and comparatively 

 imimportant by the exhaustive articles that constantly appear in 

 our columns. It would appear that many of the weight-making 

 birds have nearly reached the possible Hmit. Among these we 

 may class Ducks, Geese, Turkeys, and fowls. We do not say 

 that some may not at times be exhibited of enormous weight, 

 liut as an average we doubt if they will still increase. The 

 judgment of the public has been as usual correct in the treat- 

 ment of the French breeds, and that which has before happened 

 has repeated itself. The La Fleche, popular as they are in the 

 district which gives them their name, have been fairly and 

 anxiously tried, and found wanting. They will not acclimatise. 

 The Houdans and Creve-Cccurs not only hold their own — they 

 improve greatly, and we doubt whether those bred in England 

 could not successfully compete with their foreign brethren. 

 Por those who detest a broody hen, and do not care for chickens, 

 the introduction of these birds is a boon, and as they become 

 well known in their properties and requirements, which they do 

 a few years after their introduction, they can be profitably kept. 

 The size of the eggs they lay is a great advantage. Among the 

 breeds that have hardly remained stationary may be classed the 

 Spanish. Their properties are so similar to those of these 

 French breeds, that it may fairly be supposed some who took to 

 the French forsook the Spanish. 



Hamburghs have certainly improved during the past year. 

 Malays have taken an onward and upward stride. We are glad 

 of it. These old and meritorious servants have been too long in 

 the cold shade of public neglect. Aylesbury Ducks are falling 

 off in numbers and weight, while the Eouens flourish in both 

 pai-ticulars. We suppose fashion is not confined to costume or 

 ajiparel ; it has its influence on poultry. Many years since there 

 were large and long classes of Sebright Bantams. Their merits 

 were so even that they were the plague of the judges. Merits were 

 magnified, and defects dwelt upon in order to come to a decision. 

 Kow it is difficult to get a dozen together. Then the Black and 

 White were bred to marvellous perfection. They, too, have 

 dipped their flag to the Game. The numbers in which these 

 birds are shown are very great, and exhibitors have realised that 

 it is necessary to show Game Bantams, differing only in size 

 from their larger brethren. 



Most attractive classes have sprung up in those for Carolinas, 

 Mandarins, and other varieties of wild fowl. The numbers of 

 the first two in their separate classes, all of startUng beauty, and 

 in perfect plumage, formed at Birmingham one of the most 

 beautiful sights ever seen. The varieties showed birds in a 

 perfect state of domesticity, which some years ago were known 

 only to " hardy explorers," or through books. 



The year has been a pleasant one for those engaged in poultry. 

 Without being exceptionally favourable for rearing, the diffi- 

 culties of temperature were not insuperable. There has been a 

 ready sale for almost all sorts. Shows have been well supported 

 in every way, but some alteration will be required with some of 

 them. The pursuit must still be made a holiday for ladies, and 

 a thing in which they take a persoual interest. Wo are truly 

 grateful we have only to do with these ordinary things. We 

 have no abuses to expose, no thieateuings to x^ubliBh, no com- 

 plaints to make. 



When we think of those with whom we are brought in weekly 

 contact, our thoughts have to do with friends only. We summon 



them in imagination ; we view them with our mind's eye, and 

 warming with the contemplation, we suit the action to the 

 thought, and, holding out our hands, wish to all our frieudsi and 

 subscribers, and contributors 



A H-iPPY New Yeah. 



POULTRY JUDGES. 



Having been an ardent admirer of poultry for the last fifteen 

 years, and a successful breeder and exhibitor at most of our 

 large shows for the last twelve years, I look upon the controversy 

 now going on upon the above subject as one of great importance 

 to all fanciers, and I agree with the Rev. E. Bartrum in saying 

 that with so many new shows springing up, and the number 

 of qualified judges diminishing, it behoves everyone to bestir 

 himself and do his best to avert such a calamity. I confidently 

 recommend to committees of poultry shows Mr. Samuel Burn, 

 of Whitby, who has been a breeder of nearly every variety from 

 his youth, and a prizewinner at all of the great shows ; in ad- 

 dition I know from experience that his heart is thoroughly with 

 the fancy, and nothing gives him greater pleasure than to meet 

 his brother fanciers and have a chat about their pets. Of his 

 ability to judge all varieties I have no doubt, and I am con- 

 vinced that whatever committee will give him a trial will be 

 thoroughly satisfied. I may here mention that Mr. Burn was 

 engaged as one of the Judges at the North of England Show 

 held at Whitehaven last January, and his awards gave such 

 general satisfaction both to exhibitors and the public, that the 

 local newspaper speaks of him thus: — "Mr. S. Burn made his 

 first appearance here, but if we may judge from the expressions 

 of satisfaction on all sides with his awards, it will not be his 

 last." — Edwaed Feabon, Whitehaven. 



BAD FASTENINGS OF POULTRY BASKETS. 



From time to time I read in your Journal complaints from 

 exhibitors at shows, of their birds having been stolen or ex- 

 changed, either at the show or on the journey to or from, and 

 no wonder after what I saw a few days since. On the Reigate 

 town railway platform there were two new close-woven wicker- 

 work baskets, about 40 inches deep, with lids to correspond, but 

 without any handles — all most suitable ; and yet how were they 

 fastened ? One loosely with a very thin piece of string ; the 

 other also loosely, with one piece of string rather thicker than 

 the other, but half worn through. Each lid might be easily 

 lifted up 2 inches, and if roughly lifted by the lid the strings 

 would, without doubt, have given way. I called the attention 

 of the railway porter to the fact, and presently a youth came 

 and put to each basket two or three more fastenings of thin 

 twine, and these baskets were going in this state to the Lewes 

 Poultry Show, and would have one or two railway changes to 

 make before arriving there. Is it, then, to be wondered at that 

 birds are lost if sent in such a careless way ? The senders have 

 no ground of complaint if birds are sent back on their return 

 journey equally carelessly packed. — W. D. P. 



[We can fully sustain our correspondent's statement. Ex- 

 hibitors comj)laiu of losses, and too often charge them to the 

 carelessness of the show or railway officials, whereas the ex- 

 hibitors have taken no proper care to employ either eflicient 

 baskets or efficient fastenings. — Eds.] 



BROMLEY POULTRY SHOW SCHEDULE. 



Allow me to call attention to what I consider an important 

 omission in connection with this schedule, I mean the absence 

 of the names of the members of the Committee. The prize list 

 is a very liberal one, and if it do not produce a good entry I am 

 sure it may be attributed to this cause, as exhibitors like to know 

 that they are trusting their birds to gentlemen of experience in 

 poultry-keeping, and that their birds will be properly cared for; 

 and further, it is only natural that, after paying their entry 

 fees, they should feel a little anxious to know who is responsible 

 for the xjayment of the prize money. — An Exhlbitob. 



HATCHING DUCKLINGS LATE. 



Many readers of the Journal have, no doubt, often heard it 

 said that young Ducks hatched after midsummer will not live. 

 Many, too, have probably accepted the saying as true without 

 putting it to a practical test. I, at least, know not only of some 

 persons taking a great interest in poultry', but also of some very 

 good farmers who have done so. One farmer with whom I am 

 acquainted, who is well known for his good farming, and who 

 by no means despises poultry as a source of profit on his farm, 

 would as soon think of attempting to rear duckhugs in October 

 or November as of attempting to make a crop of hay in March. 

 Indeed, I know as a fact that, although his Ducks lay an abun- 

 dance of eggs each autumn, he will not use them for sitting pur- 

 I poses, but sends them into the market for sale at the same price 



