JUDGING 487 



and later the student is allowed to do this work, under suitable 

 supervision. Oftentimes prizes are awarded for excellence in 

 student judging. 



' The Principles of Judging. — Many qualities are needed to 

 make a successful judge, and in judging a show satisfactorily 

 there are important points which in many contests are overlooked. 

 The observance of these at the start will insure just decisions, 

 which satisfy the exhibitor, and without which no poultry show 

 can continue to be successful year after year. 



A full knowledge of standard requirements and disqualifica- 

 tions is necessary. 



Consistency in judging is essential, and is one of the chief 

 qualifications of a good judge. Some judges have a certain stand- 

 ard fixed in their minds, and, after a few years, an exhibitor 

 under such a judge can select a type which he feels sure the judge 

 will consider the best. This is but natural; hence it is desirable 

 to change the judge from time to time to insure impartial treat- 

 ment. 



Honesty and justice in making decisions form another very 

 important requisite. 



The development of a code for judges will promote efficiency 

 and save much time. A simple method would be to make light 

 marks on the display cards while judging to indicate certain 

 defects. 



A natural liking for the work is helpful, for greater concen- 

 tration of effort is sure to follow. 



Methods of Judging. — There are two general methods of 

 judging poultry, — namely, by comparison and by scoring. 



Judging by comparison is the common practice of comparing 

 specimens as a whole, giving no one part or combination of parts 

 a numerical value, but awarding the highest prize to the specimen 

 showing the greatest number of good qualities ^'hicb, taken con- 

 nectively, surpass all others. 



Comparison judging is the method in use for the award of 

 premiums at nearly all poultry shows. Its chief advantage is 

 the rapidity with which one can judge a large class. Even at the 

 first study of the specimens in a class one can discard all those 

 with marked defects, and by comparing several different groups 

 the poorer ones are gradually eliminated, leaving only the best. 

 Premiums are awarded more justly and satisfactorily by this 

 method than by scoring; for birds of inferior type often make a 



