488 EXHIBITING AND JUDGING 



high score, owing to the aggregate value of the different parts in 

 combination, and also to the fact that it is almost impossible for 

 two judges to cut in exactly the same proportion each time. 

 In comparison, each judge has his own system of marking defects, 

 and by going over a class a few times he can rapidly check off 

 the finest birds. The skill of the judge depends upon his system 

 of checking and his knowledge of standard requirements, com- 

 bined with an ability to size up the form and glaring defects of 

 a bird at a glance. 



Scoring is a much more formal method of judging. It is based 

 upon the estimated numerical value of the specimens. This is 

 obtained by giving to each part a value representing its degree 

 of perfection. 



Scoring requires a standard score card on which a value is 

 assigned to each part separately considered. This method is in 

 use at some of the smaller poultry shows which are run prima- 

 rily for educational purposes, and is also used by individuals 

 to determine the relative value of their own specimens. It is 

 also a part of the course of instruction in colleges and 

 agricultural schools, being used to call direct attention to merits 

 and defects. 



The chief advantage of this system is that it calls attention 

 to every part of the specimen and to each individual defect. 

 Its purpose is educational. Another superiority which the score 

 card possesses is that, when intelligently used, it forms a complete 

 list of defects with their location, and this is valuable to the 

 breeders for future reference. 



The strong feature of the score card is that numerical values 

 represent perfection of the different parts and of the whole. 

 As a tabulated record the success of any score card must 

 depend upon the accuracy with which the specimen is divided 

 into its component values. A disadvantage is that it is impos- 

 sible for all judges to view a defect in the same light, and to 

 cut in the same proportion. Under the scoring system two 

 judges may arrive at the same total value, yet analysis of their 

 score will show considerable variation in their cuts for indi- 

 vidual defects. 



Types of Score Cards. The general types of score cards 

 now in use are here briefly described, so that the student or poul- 

 tryman may apply them to his own specimens, whether birds or 

 poultry products, and get some idea of the merits of each. 



