EXHIBITIONS AND THE FANCY TRADE 295 



4. The shape of extraordinary superficial shape characters, 

 such as crests, very large combs, heavy foot-feathering, etc., is 

 usually given as much consideration as color. 



The first rule really includes all the others, and although this 

 is not usually admitted by the exponents of current methods 

 of judging live stock, in practice it is the fundamental rule in 

 judging. One reason why people who have a little knowledge 

 of standards for well-bred poultry, and of the methods of apply- 

 ing them, are almost always puzzled by the awards at poultry 

 shows is because they try to analyze them in accordance with the 

 commonly accepted theory of judging by points, which assigns 

 definite numerical values to certain characters. This theory 

 assumes that the judge, taking these values as a basis, com- 

 putes the values of faults with mathematical accuracy. This 

 is not possible where the computation is based upon an opinion. 



To illustrate the application of the rules given, let us apply 

 them to some well-known varieties, taking first the Barred 

 Plymouth Rock. 



The conspicuous distinguishing character of this variety is the 

 barred color pattern ; therefore color of plumage has most con- 

 sideration in judging it. The pattern is the same all over the bird ; 

 therefore every feather should be barred. The pattern must be 

 sharply defined ; therefore the colors must be clean-cut and the 

 bars straight and of nearly equal width on each feather, with the 

 width of bars on feathers of different sizes proportionate to 

 the width of the feather. These requirements seem very sim- 

 ple when stated, but a close examination of ordinary exhibition 

 Barred Plymouth Rocks will show very few specimens that 

 closely approach perfection according to the rules. 



Now take the White Wyandotte. The most conspicuous 

 character of any white bird is its whiteness. In judging this 

 variety, therefore, whiteness will have more consideration than 

 any other quality. White Wyandottes are distinguished from 

 White Plymouth Rocks by the shape of the comb ; therefore 



