Canary Societies, and Close and Open Shows. 393 



an exhibition should invariably be fanciers men who have 

 a thorough knowledge of what they are required to do, and 

 are sure to do it properly and well. It is probably the best 

 plan- to employ strangers that is, people unconnected with 

 the show to collect the charges for admission and take 

 the checks ; at the same time, there is no serious objection to 

 members of the committee being employed in these capacities 

 if they are considered suitable and are willing to act. 



It is undoubtedly best to employ a man who has a convey- 

 ance of his own adapted to the purpose of taking the birds 

 to and from the railway station and the place of exhibition; 

 but when such an arrangement is impracticable a horse and 

 waggon can be employed ; Messrs. Carver and Co. will ' be 

 able to supply this desideratum in most towns north of the 

 Humber, I believe, and how far south of the river I cannot 

 say ; be sure to arrange for a steady, reliable driver. Two 

 members of the committee, at least, should accompany the 

 conveyance, particularly on the return journey, to see the birds 

 safely sent off. The Railway Companies will deliver the birds, 

 but it is highly desirable that a member of the Show Committee 

 should be in attendance on the arrival of all trains to see 

 that the birds are carefully dealt with, and not delayed in 

 delivery, or exposed to cold draughts unnecessarily, by being 

 left on the platform or other exposed places. The Com- 

 panies will likewise collect the birds for the return journeys, 

 free of charge, if proper arrangements are made with the 

 local station-master. I have always found these men most 

 obliging in this respect, and they will attend even at a late 

 hour at night without a murmur. 



ADVERTISING. Large posters, giving a full and clear 

 announcement of when the exhibition is to take place, should 

 be printed and freely distributed, and posted in all conspicuous 

 and convenient places, at least a week before the show takes 

 place. In addition to sending out schedules or programmes, 

 it will be found advantageous to insert an advertisement, 

 giving all particulars of the show, in at least two journals 

 published in London, and those which promote the welfare of 

 all persons interested in exhibitions of this sort by printing 



