SILVER WYANDOTTES JUDGING. 37 



judging to hackle, wings and fluff. In the females the breast plum- 

 age is generally more defective than in males. Most of the cuts for 

 defects are found in the throat and upper part of breast, owing to 

 the failure of lacing, and these defects are cut from one-half to two 

 points; the hackle is also cut for failure in color. If the stripe in 

 the silvery-white feathers be wide at the point, giving a smutty or 

 blotched appearance, it is cut from one to two points. If the cush- 

 ion be flat, cut one- half point, and when it is so flat as to part at 

 tail, it is cut from one to one and a half points. If the plumage of 

 cushion be white, laced with black and the centers penciled, it is cut 

 one-half point; if fluff be white, it is cut one to one and a half 

 points; if the plumage on back has bricky, copper or bronzed color 

 or hue, it is cut from one to two points, as in degree. If the prima- 

 ries be white, it is cut a point for each wing; but this does not include 

 the narrow outer edge, which should be white. If the secondaries 

 be black on outside web, " failing to round the tip of the feather so 

 as to give the scallop finish to the secondaries when folded," it is 

 cut one-half to one point; if secondaries be white, it is cut two 

 points; if the white center of coverts be penciled, the cut is one-half 

 to one point, as in degree; if the coverts be wholly white, the cut is 

 two points. If the tail be pointed, like the Cochin, it is cut one 

 point; if the tail proper be tinged with white, one-half to two points, 

 as in degree; if straw color or bronze appear on the coverts, it is cut 

 one point; if the tail be carried upright, one point, and when squirrel 

 fashion, it is one to one and a half points. 



In nearly all other sections, especially of form, the female is 

 judged and cut for defects like the male. As a crooked breast bone 

 has much weight in breeding, it should be cut two points in the 

 female, as well as the male. The female has less defects in form, 

 and suffers most from penciling and indistinct lacing. Proper care 

 and good food will help much to put fowls in good condition of 

 flesh and plumage for the show room. If raised in a close pen, 

 without regard to cleanliness and proper food to enrich the plumage, 

 the pullets at the second moult will not shed clean, and many of the 

 old feathers will become rusty and mar the remaining plumage, 

 when it is closely examined in the judge's hands. Of course the 

 comb, face, wattles and shanks should be cleansed with a mixture of 

 alcohol and water, into which some pieces of castile soap may be 

 put; then, with a nail brush, cleanse the dirt and scurf from head 

 and scales of legs and anoint with a little alcohol and olive oil, to 

 brighten and keep the parts from cracking, or becoming dry and 



