180 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Show.* The example has been very generally followed, and 

 we now have classes for cross-bred table fowls at many of 

 our large exhibitions. 



" As the regulations say that the sex and breed of each 

 parent must be stated, some very important information will 

 be given to the public at large as to the relative influence of 

 the two breeds employed as progenitors. Thus, the descrip- 

 tion 'Game Dorkiug cross' will not be sufficient; but it 

 must be distinctly stated ' bred from game cock and Dork- 

 ing hen,' or vice versa. As very difierent results arise 

 in the two cases, the information is valuable. Every one 

 recognizes the distinction between a mule and a hinnj^ 

 which are produced from a mare and a female ass respec- 

 tively ; and experience has shown that cross-breds, the prod- 

 uce of a Dorkiug cock and game hens, are superior in size 

 and amount of flesh on the breast to those bred from a game 

 cock and Dorking hens. 



"The tendency of these classes must be useful, as they will 

 enable breeders for the market and for home use to select 

 the breeds that will most surely produce the desired result. 

 Hitherto the experiments have been generally made by 

 crossing Dorkings and Asiatics, which necessarily produce 

 large-sized chickens. The game crosses, though not so 

 large, have smaller bone and fuller breasts. Dorking 

 crossed with Houdan produce good table fowl, but the use- 

 less fifth toe is not eliminated. The crosses of the other 

 French breeds have not yet been largely exhibited ; but 

 those from the Creve Coeur and La Fleche should produce 

 results not only valuable as table fowls, but as producers of 

 an ample supply of large eggs." 



Mr. W. B. Tegetmeier, perhaps the best known writer 

 upon poultry matters in the world, was judge of this class 

 at the dairy show at Islington, held the first week in October 

 last. 



He had no less than twenty-four coops presented, all of 



which, save one, conformed to the conditions, and named 



. the breed of each parent. He complains, however, that he 



*This no doubt means the Crystal Palace Show of last year, 1881, and indicates 

 that the prizes offered by the Long Island Society antedated this by four or five 

 years. 



