Juao 11, 1874. ] 



JOURNAL OF HORTIGUIiTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



477 



man'a birds ia perfection itself ; for whilst its ample development 

 could not fail to satisfy the most fastidious amateur, the kul-like 

 quality of face in each one of the birds was equally praiseworthy. 

 A few of the very heavily-corrugated facas, tbat in aged Spanish 

 cocks generally lead to total, or at best partial, blindness, were 

 to be met with in these classes, and served by contrast to 

 heighten the popularity of tbe successful pens. Throughout 

 extensive classes the Grey Dorkinr/x showeii to considerable dis- 

 advantage, as shabbiness of plumage generally prevailed; but 

 it is well known there are few breeds that, on the eve of moult- 

 ing, are so apt to show broken plumage as the Dorkings. Mr. 

 C. Burnell, of Micheldever, Hants, and Mr. Samuel Lang, of 

 ■Westbury, however, exhibited some of the successful pens in 

 very creditable feather. The White and Cuckoo Dorkings were 

 especially good, and most of them well shown. 



As a rule the Buff Cochins were not so good as have been 

 entered at previous shows, but not without some few marked ex- 



ceptions. The cup cock shown by Mr. Harris, of St. Day, Corn- 

 wall, was a remarkably clear-coloured well-grown specimen, and 

 the pair of cup heus exbibited by Mr. Crabtree, of Levenshulme, 

 Manchester, were particularly so. Wo regret to say a sad aanoy- 

 aoce took place in respect to the latter pen. The award had not 

 been made longer than a quarter of an hour or so before it was 

 found out that the better hen of the two had died suddenly, 

 although not manifesting any previous indisposition. Of course 

 that award remained unchanged, but it prevented them running 

 in very closely at the least for the champion cup for the best 

 pair of hens. For the latter prize Mr. Edward Tudman, of 

 Ashgrove, Whitchurch, Salop, entered a pen that possibly has 

 never benn equalled for purity of feather and equality of cha- 

 racter. Those hens were most beautifully pencilled throughout 

 the whole plumage, even the very feathers ou the legs and toes 

 being equally well marked, a characteristic so rarely seen now- 

 a-days, rendering this one of the most attractive features of 



a CD 



aODDDn 



.SI To ClUton. 



-A, Poultry tent. 



B, Machinery in motion. 



c, Gates. 



D, Offices. 



C C 



PLAN OF THE SHOW-YABD AT BRISTOL. 



E, Council tent. 



F, Sheds. 



G, Tele^aph office. 

 H, Horticulture. 



I, Band stand. 

 J, Shrubbery. 

 K, Grand stand. 

 L, Horee ring. 



M, Horse boxes. 



N, Sheep. 



o, Cattle. 



p, Manufactures. 



Q, Refreshments. 

 B, Picture gallery, 

 s, Fine arts. 

 T, Cloak room. 



ithis year's collection. "White Cochins were mostly in bad con- 

 ■dition, but a few pens of very good early chickens were ex- 

 hibited. The classes for Brahmas proved the largest entries 

 •among the poultry, but, with the exception of tbe prizetakers, 

 they were not equal to what might reasonably have been ex- 

 pected ; in fact, the Light-feathered Brahmas were, as classes, 

 decidedly an inferior collection. It will be seen Messrs. Ling- 

 wood, Wright, AVatts, and Dean were the chief prizetakers. 



In Game want of high condition among the cock classes was 

 a General fault, which, however, served only still more to 

 heighten the appearance of those in feather; the hens of the 

 Game fowls were mostly ia good feather. Of Hamhurghs, so 

 far south there has never been so good a collection, the Golden- 

 spangled, Silver-spangled, and Golden- pencilled more especially. 

 Although, as customary, the northern counties managed to 

 secure the majority of the Hamburgh premiums, many new 

 names resident far south closely competed — a somewhat new 

 feature in these breeds. It is well so deservedly popular varie- 

 ties are now extending themselves, Polish fowls were quite in 

 the ascendant, but every variety being admissible, the awards 

 were too limited for so pi-aiseworthy a collection. French 

 ■breeds mustered in very strong force, mostly very superior in 

 character, Craves, perhaps, being the most perfectly repre- 

 sented. In the Variety classes, the most extraordinarily good 

 Black and White Minorcas took the prizes in the hen classes ; 

 and in the Variety cock class a Black Hamburgh and good old- 

 fashioned Malay were the winners, among an entry of great ex- 

 ■cellence and numbers. With eo heavy entries, perhaps another 



season this division of the prize list may justly call for an 

 enlarged amount of encouragement, by the increase as to the 

 number of prizes offered. 



Of Turkeys, this Show was especially a grand one ; and al- 

 though this district has for many years been pre-eminent for 

 these birds, the prizes were obtained by specimens sent from a 

 distance. Geese were a limited entry, but of superior character. 



Although both Aylesbury and Rouen Ducks of extraordinary 

 good quality were numerous, the last-named variety securing 

 the cup for Ducks, it was strange that only one entry was 

 made in the class for fancy Waterfowl. It proved to be a good 

 pen of Carolinas ; but why with the same amount of prize 

 money offered, this pen should enjoy a walk-over, it is difficult 

 to explain. 



Bristol enjoyed a fine show of Bantams^ the cup going to such 

 a pen of Silver-laced Sebrights as have not been exhibited for 

 many years past. Black-breasted Red Game and Brown-breasted 

 Red Game Bantams were decidedly good, and the Black Bantams 

 were both numerous and excellent ; but White Bantams appear 

 of late to have been altogether unrepresented by the beautiful 

 specimens of former years. This is not as it should be, for when 

 of good quality and well shown, few of the smaller kinds of 

 poultry " pets " are more choice and interesting. There is a 

 good opening for any persevering breeder to take the initiative. 

 Among the many Bantam fanciers will no one come to the 

 rescue, and prevent this really pleasing variety being lost 

 altogether ? In a generally open class for cock Bantams of every 

 description, Black Red Game secured both prizes, very good 



