486 EXHIBITING AND JUDGING 



going on. In order to stamp a higher character on all poultry 

 exhibitions, judges and superintendents of shows should mete 

 out severe punishment on all cases of faking which come to their 

 knowledge. 



EXHIBITIONS OF POULTRY PRODUCTS. 



The competition of classes for dressed poultry and eggs is 

 now coming into prominence at most poultry shows, and is an 

 important feature both from the educational and the commer- 

 cial standpoint. Such classes will draw a larger number of ex- 

 hibitors and interested visitors, and prove a most attractive part 

 of the exhibit to the visitors, many of whom have no appreciation 

 of the finer points of a standard-bred bird, but do appreciate good 

 eggs and fine-looking poultry. 



It is a much simpler proposition to judge such exhibits than 

 it is to award prizes to live birds. The conflicting characteristics 

 are relatively few, they are in quality only, and are usually seen 

 at a glance. In listing such classes, the publication of the score 

 card to be used in awarding the premiums will help the exhibitor 

 to make his entries, and lead to a more uniform and higher grade 

 of exhibit. 



By judging is meant deciding authoritatively upon the respect- 

 ive merits of the birds displayed. Such authority is invested 

 in judges, of whom several are usually employed, the number 

 varying with the number of the entries. Each judge takes the 

 classes with which he is best acquainted, although there are judges 

 who, after extensive experience, can intelligently decide upon 

 points of merit in almost any class. 



The uses to which poultry judging are put are two-fold: First 

 and foremost, judging is the method used to determine the degree 

 of excellence of individuals in competition. It is the procedure of 

 awarding prizes and thus indirectly determining the ability of one 

 man over another as a breeder of specimens which more nearly 

 equal or attain a given standard; secondly, judging is used quite 

 extensively in educational work, especially at our Agricultural 

 Colleges, to fix in the minds of the pupils the characteristics 

 desired in certain individuals. Judging for educational purposes 

 is carried on in two ways: First, the instructor usually goes 

 through the operation a number of times, explaining as he goes. 



