264 HAMPS., FRANK. & HAMPD. SOCIETY. 



This is very desirable in cold weather. Vegetables and fresh 

 meat are necessary for health, and are highly conducive to the 

 production of eggs. It is absolutely necessary to have some 

 proper material within their reach of which to make the shell, 

 such as old mortar, pounded oyster shells, burnt bones and 

 coarse gravel. 



In selecting the kind of fowls to be kept, the particular ob- 

 ject to be attained will somewhat vary the choice. If the 

 flesh be sought, some of the larger kinds, or perhaps a cross 

 of the larger and smaller, will best answer. But it is believed, 

 that at the same cost of keeping, the smaller breeds will pro- 

 duce the greater weight of eggs. 



All hens will lay well if properly cared for ; but there are 

 some breeds which have a particular inclination to do so. 

 Among these stand foremost the Bolton Greys, Poland, and 

 Spangled Hamburgs, and even the common barnyard fowl, 

 will not suffer in comparison with many of her more showy 

 competitors. Every door yard has a supply of the latter, 

 which if judiciously managed, can be brought into a profita- 

 ble way with little expense, thus avoiding the necessity of 

 paying the extravagant sums demanded for some of the new 

 varieties. 



The display of poultry this year was equal if not superior to 

 that of any previous exhibition. The variety was greater, 

 and there were two or three breeds represented for the first 

 time. The reputation which the Bolton Grays and Spangled 

 Hamburgs possess, for laying properties, would seem to de- 

 mand for them more attention in future. The specimens of 

 turkeys and ducks were very fine, causing some embarrassment 

 in the selection of those most worthy of premiums. 



The whole number of entries was fifty-nine. 



Premiums were awarded to the following persons. There 

 was only one entry of Chittagongs, consisting of two pairs. 

 To the owner of these, Moses White, of Hadley, was 

 awarded the first premium of 2$ ; also the second premium 

 of $1. 



There were but two entries of Cochin Chinas, for these, 

 Benjamin Barrett, of Northampton, received the first premium 

 of $2 ; also the second premium of $1. 



White Shanghaes, — J. W. Wilson, of Northampton, receiv- 



