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CHAPTER XIII, 



snows AND JUDGING, 



Wk have seen during the past few years so much mismanagement in connection with new poultry 

 exhibitions, arising from ignorance of the manner in which such affairs should be managed, that a 

 few hints on the subject may not be without service. The fact that the largest and best shows in 

 England have by degrees all settled down into very nearly the same system of management, shows 

 that this system has by experience been proved the best ; and that plain business-like simplicity of 

 method is found in the long run better than the pet plans of any particular amateur. 



Regarding the getting-up of a show, and the general composition of a Prize Schedule, we shall 

 say scarcely anything, as the perusal of a few other schedules would impart information better than 

 anything we could advance. When it is said that the support to be obtained in the neighbourhood, 

 and the breeds most popular there, should be carefully studied, there is in fact little more to say ; and 

 we would only add a caution against allowing any />ariiat/ar/y enthusiastic fancier to over-persuade his 

 committee into attempting to make a " first-class " show in a neighbourhood where it is impossible 

 to support more than a small one. We have several times known this to result in a loss of from one 

 to as much as three hundred pounds. The fair probabilities of success are what should be 

 considered, though there is no doubt whatever that in a central locality where there is roo//i for it, 

 and a building large enough, it is quite possible for a first-class schedule, with ^500 in prizes, to pay 

 handsomely, where a more timid one of half the amount might involve a loss. The question of cups 

 is also worth reconsidering among committees generally ; an opinion having been growing among 

 fanciers of late, as we know from an extensive personal intercourse, that the system at present in 

 vogue is very unsatisfactory. A lady of high rank, who had been unusually successful in prize- 

 taking, quite lately pointed out to us her immense stand, crammed full of these useless appendages, 

 and expressed her regret that so much useless plate should be forced upon her, adding that she had 

 instructed her man always to take the money when the choice was offered him. No one could be 

 more free from penuriousness of disposition than the titled lady who made this remark ; but the 

 simple fact is that the amount of money annually wasted in thus forcing plate upon people who do 

 not want it is enormous. The expenses of first-class yards are very great, and money won in prizes 

 forms quite a legitimate part of the return : but the usual system at present is, when a five or seven 

 guinea cup is given among several classes, for the winner to lose his first prize in money {£2, at 

 most good English shows) ; and we have repeatedly heard people say that " but for the honour " they 

 would rather have had the £1 in money than the useless silver, presumed to be (though not always 

 really so) of several pounds higher value. We have spoken to many members of committees on the 

 matter, and there are signs of a change in this respect ; but however this may be, our own decided 

 opinion is that it would be far better to announce, in lieu of cups, a certain amount " in plate or 

 money" as preferred, to be given in addition to the usual prize. A small cup would be equally 

 useful for those who wished it, to perpetuate the memory of their triumphs, and the prize in money 

 would remove what has long been a very sore point with many exhibitors ; the working of the 



