^5S 



The Illustrated Book of Poultry, 



This form contains two columns for secretary's use, in order to allow the use of double tiitnihcrs, 

 which are a great satisfaction to many exhibitors, as rendering impossible any attempt to tamper 

 with the judges. We have known double numbers tried and abandoned on account of the time 

 and trouble supposed to be involved ; but this has been through bungling management, and adopt- 

 ing the tedious plan of each man who pens birds having to find for himself, by inspecting the 

 register, the pen number from that on the label. The proper way causes no delay at all. As each 

 entry form is received and examined by the secretary, consecutive figures are affixed in the column 

 devoted to label numbers, and each entry is then entered in its proper elass in a large folio book, 

 indexed with the numbers of the classes like a ledger index, and which afterwards forms copy for 

 the catalogue. In this large book the label number should be filled in to the right hand of the 

 price column, a column being left blank at the left hand for the catalogue or pen numbers. As 

 soon as any entry-form has been entered up in the catalogue-book and checked back, the labels 

 may be filled up and sent if desired, which is a great convenience of this plan in point of time. 

 Catalogues paid for with the entries are also to be entered in a book for the postage clerk. When 

 the entries are finally closed and entered up, the catalogue is to be numbered consecutively through- 

 out in the column on the left hand, and the whole finally checked by filling in the new or pen 

 numbers in the column left for them in the entry forms. The last thing will now be to prepare 

 either a single or duplicate register (according to the size of the show) of the numbers, in the follow- 

 ing form : — 



This is easily done from the catalogue, which is then at liberty for the printer ; first drawing a 

 pen through all the label numbers on the right hand, which are not intended to be printed. When 

 the birds begin to arrive, a tmiubering clerk is to be appointed, who will be provided with a good 

 marking pencil, a copy of the register, blank paper labels, and a paste-brush ; and whose sole duty 

 it is, as each hamper is brought in and placed before him, to ascertain from his register the 

 catalogue number answering to the number on the label, to write that number plainly on a ticket, 

 and stick it on the basket, which is then ready for the penning department. This plan avoids all 

 the delay and confusion of each man who pens having to find for himself the proper number, and 

 all risk of error from penning according to the label after all, which sometimes arises under that 

 system, but is impossible under the one we have described, the written number being too different 

 in appearance to |)e mistaken. Of course two or more numbering clerks can be employed at 

 a large show, and this business must be only entrusted to methodical and cool men ; book-keepers' 

 clerks, for obvious reasons, usually making the best. 



The best form of show label is one eyeletted at both ends, by each of which it can be secured 

 to the basket. One side bears the address to the show in plain printed characters, with blanks for 

 the numbers and mode of conveyance ; the other is chiefly occupied by a blank direction for 

 return, which is to be fully filled in by the exhibitor. The line of railway, or other conveyance by 

 which return is to be effected, should have a special blank provided for it, to avoid mistakes and 

 delay. The advantage of a label fastened at both ends is, that once fastened or reversed it will 

 remain right for the journey ; whereas a label only affixed at one end gives no certainty in which 

 . direction the birds are to go at a midway junction, unless by looking at the date, which railway 

 porters will not always do. Many delays have been distinctly traced to this cause. 



