September 9, 1875. ] 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



235 



bred by Mr. Wragg; and the two first-named state that Mrs. 

 Tiudal never shows any birds not bred by herself. 



BATH SHOW OF POULTRY, 4c. 



Sei'Temher 1st, 187o. 



Partridge or poultry? Capital coveys we knew of tempted 

 one way, pleasant recollections of the last Sydney Garden meet- 

 ing tempted another way ; but we needed no subtraction sum to 

 iind out that whereas wo had only two days for Bath, we had 

 many weeks for the Partridges. So to the town of buns, chairs, 

 and Olivers we betook ourselves. We certainly did feel a tiny 

 bit of envy as we passed quickly in the early morning through 

 the spider- webbed fields among the silvery mushrooms, and saw 

 the dogs about, and heard the first bang of the day ; but then 

 we remembered the courtesy of the Bath olHcials last time, and 

 hoped for as pleasant a reception this year. When we arrived 

 at the Show, however, we found a most terrible blank in the 

 ranks of the Committee. Mr. Holmes, where was he? Mrs. 

 Holmes, where was she ? Can we ever forget how the latter 

 lady laboured nearly all the night through among the birds last 

 year, working for the good cause of their Show? Why, she was 

 worth half a dozen of any ordinary committeemen herself, and 

 now this year we found her and her husband missing from the 

 party. We, of course, inquired the reason, and when we heard 

 how the case stood we could only feel glad that Mr. Holmes 

 bad resigned, and congratulate them both on being out of 

 the worries and troubles. But still their absence was a con- 

 siderable loss, and many felt it extremely. The Judges were 

 Mr. Hodson and Mr. Tegetmeier ; the former for poultry and 

 the latter for the Pigeons; while Mr. Blakston adjudicated on 

 the cage birds, and he with Mr. Tegetmeier also judged the 

 Rabbits. It is always an unsatisfactory job to judge a large 

 show where the classes are for adults and chickens together, but 

 we thought each Judge performed his arduous duties most 

 efficiently ; of course we differed in some few awards, but they 

 were mostly very carefully made. 



The poultry and Pigeons were shown in a large tent, while 

 the cage birds were exhibited in the summer alcoves, which 

 being tastefully decorated made a pretty addition to the show- 

 yard. Turner's pens were used, and the feeding and manage- 

 ment were good. We must not forget to say, however, that on 

 the first day from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. every visitor had to pay 5s. 6i^. 

 to go in, and after then 3s. M. These charges are simply ex- 

 orbitant ; but the fact is everyone had to pay to go into the 

 flower show, and then again to pass through the poultry 

 barriers. 



DorJiings came first in the catalogue, and Mr. Burnell easily 

 walked in his Coloured cockerel. He is a splendidly-made bird, 

 and good in colour and feet. Second went to an old bird out of 

 feather with a bad upper toe, but otherwise good. Pen 1 

 (Briden) was a large chicken, but poor in comb and rather knock- 

 kneed. We liked pen 8 (Feast) very much, but he had too much 

 white in his tail. In hens the winner was a grand rose-comb 

 from Little Ness, second going to a good hen of Mr. Burnell's, 

 which, we believe, was sold on the ground. 11 (Beachey) a very 

 large dark pullet, and promising to make a huge bird, but she 

 was rather sooty on her feet, or would have been in the list most 

 probably. In the next class a splendid Silver-Grey won first, 

 being good all round ; second going to a nice White, save that 

 his comb was faulty in peak. In hens a good White was first, 

 and a very nice White pullet second, third going to a nicely- 

 coloured but small Silver-Grey. We miss Mr. 0. E. Cresswell's 

 name in these classes this summer, and are sorry to learn he 

 has had to leave England for change of air owing to delicate 

 health. 



Cochins were not as good as we expected. The winning White 

 cock deservedly won the cup. He is good in all points, only has 

 lost one serration in his comb. The second was also an adult 

 White, but he was moulting, and looked ragged in hackle and 

 tail. Third, the winning Birmingham cockerel, a fair chicken, 

 but one which will never make a large bird. White hens were 

 only moderate. The best shaped hen in the class was 33 (Feast), 

 but she was not large and hideously dirty. In the other two 

 Cochiu classes all colours had to meet. In cocks a good Part- 

 ridge won first, second going to an old Buff. In hens Buffs won 

 all the prizes, first being an old hen, rather faded-looking and 

 seedy ; second was a lovely pullet, and preferable we thought to 

 the winner. 



Dark Brahmas were splendid. The two champion cnps went 

 to these two classes. Mr. Ansdell was indeed fortunate, but his 

 birds deserved their honours. His winning cock and prize hens 

 were adult birds, and had moulted-ont as clean and bright as 

 possible. In hens the third went to a fine pullet, well-feathered 

 and clear in markings. Light Brahmas were two wonderful 

 classes. Cockerels won all the prizes in the first class. Mr. 

 Dean's bird only came in second, but we believe he bred the 

 winner. All his birds were large and well-grown birds, but 

 they were rather too creamy on the back. The third was very 

 symmetrical and pretty, with a charming head. S3 (Scammell) 



good, but poor in comb. 80 (Petter) we liked immensely, and 

 thought it was hardly used. In hens a finely-shaped pullet was 

 first; she certainly was not a good colour, but her other points 

 were perfection. Second a good old hen, well shown. Third a 

 nice pullet, but we infinitely preferred \H] (Petter). It was a 

 glorious class, and the pullets were a wonderful lot. 



Game were not large classes, and the chickens few. In Red 

 cocks or cockerels a finely-shaped old Black Red won, but he 

 was generally out of feather; second a fair Brown Red ; third a 

 Black Red, too thickly made, but good in head. Hens were a 

 fair class, and the winners about right. In the other Game 

 classes an adult Pile cock with very brilliant yellow legs won 

 the cup. He was in good feather, and bright in colour. 128 (Win- 

 wood), a nice undubbed Pile cockerel. In the next class we 

 admired the second pullet very much, and should almost have 

 placed her before the winning hen. 



Hamburghs were very nice, in fact quite a superior collection. 

 The cup went to a very good Golden-pencilled cock, just be- 

 ginning to lose his tail feathers. The other winning Pencilled 

 cocks were also good. In hens the winner was clear in mark- 

 ings and a nice bird generally, but the Spangled cockerels were 

 the cream of the Hamburghs. The winning Silver was a gem in 

 all points save legs, and these were too white, but his tail, bars, 

 and head very grand. Second a splendid Gold, one of the best 

 chickens we have seen for some time. For third we should 

 have gone to Mr. Long's Golden. It was but little behind the 

 second-prize bird, and promises to make a beauty. In hens a 

 nice Silver was first, and a good Gold second ; this too was a 

 fine class. 



Malays mustered twenty pens, and paid their way in a, truly 

 noble manner. The first cock won the cup ; he was in nice 

 feather and condition. Second went to a good cockerel, and 

 third to a smart old bird. 104 (Browne) a good cockerel. 100 (Hin- 

 ton) a very nice White, which we thought well worthy of a 

 notice. It was a square bird and good in points, though it may 

 never make a monster. The hens were a nice lot and seemed 

 well judged, though we should have liked to have seen two or 

 three good pullets of great promise more highly noticed; among 

 them pens 17.5 (Brooke) and 177 (Hinton), which contained a 

 very handsome pullet, though in colour a shade too light for our 

 taste. 



Spanish were small, but good classes. Old birds won most of 

 the prizes, and the winners came from the neighbouring city of 

 Bristol, and were quite up to the standard of Messrs. Jones and 

 Chillcote's usual form. 



Minorcas had two classes, and we were much pleased with 

 the birds. They were principally Blacks, which with their 

 large combs and brilliantly-hued plumage looked exceedingly 

 handsome. 



Houdans were good, and an immense number of birds were 

 deservedly noticed. The winning hen was one of the best we 

 ever saw, her markings were what we consider an ideal Houdan 

 should be. We fancy we have seen this hen winning formerly 

 in Mr. Dring's name, but may be mistaken. 226 (Pearce) an 

 exceedingly good bird. 



In the other French class a splendid La Fleche was first, 

 good Creves being second and third. In hens Cri-ves won all 

 the prizes ; the winner was a great beauty. The third was also 

 a very nicely-grown pullet. 



Silkies were very pretty, and attracted much attention. The 

 winners were well placed, though the first pullet was not quite 

 developed enough in claws to please us. It is wonderful how 

 very much this breed is being used for sitting purposes; cer- 

 tainly they are admirable mothers, and for rearing Bantams and 

 Game are invaluable. 



In the Ornamental class Pheasants won all the prizes. There 

 were also in this class two good pens of Guinea Fowls, but whai 

 can they do against the gorgeous Gold and Silver Pheasants ? 



The Variety classes were capital. lu cocks a grand White- 

 crested Black Polish cockerel was first, one of the best we have 

 seen this year. Second went to a good Golden, third to a beau- 

 tiful Black Hamburgh cockerel of great lustre. 200 (Long) a 

 Silver Poland with huge crest, but he seemed out of condition, 

 2G3 (Harris) a fine Black Malay, which we suppose should have 

 gone into the Malay class. In hens a splendid Golden Poland 

 won first and cup, second a grand Silver Poland with capital 

 crest and markings, third a nice White-crested Black pullet, 

 which promises to make a fine bird. 



Game Bantams were good in quality, but only mustered eight 

 pens in the two classes. Bantams of any other variety made a 

 splendid class, capital Silver-laced being first, good White- 

 booted second, and nice Blacks third. 28.5 (Boissier) a wonder- 

 fully good pen of White-booted, almost superior, we fancied, to 

 the second-prize pen. 291 (HoUoway) good Silver-laced. 



Ducks were good, and the awards seemed quite correct. The 

 winning Aylesburys were very fine. In Blacks Mr. Sainsbury 

 ran his two pens in easily ; they were of nice colour and in 

 brilliant condition. Third went to fair birds, but the Duck was 

 too stumpy in body. Mr. Kelleway's pen was empty. There 

 were only two pens of Turkeys, both adults and both good. 



