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FANCIEES' JOURNAL AND POULTRY EXCHANGE. 



breeds; general style and carriage fifth ; comb, head, wat- 

 tles, and hackles sixth; limbs, feathering thereof, &c., 

 seventh; and so on to the end in detail. And I would espe- 

 cially contend for consistency in the numbers of points 

 accorded to any qualifications in a class of fowls of more 

 than one variety; so that, for example, in Light Brahmas, 

 symmetry should not be counted at 10 points, while in the 

 Dark Brahmas symmetry should be counted at 15 points, as 

 the new American standard indicates. Is there any reason 

 nameable why we should aim to breed either of these fine 

 varieties differently, so far as their symmetry is concerned ? 

 Or, to go one step further toward the ridiculous, let me ask 

 why Dark Brahmas' feet should be feathered to the ends of 

 outside and middle toes, while Light Brahmas are as expli- 

 citly required (in this last standard) not to be feathered on 

 the middle toes? "Whichever way may be most desirable, 

 breed for it, but lot both colors of this same fowl be 

 " pointed " and " qualified " alike. 



These manifest blunders are suggested by way of correc- 

 tion only. Such paradoxical nonsense simply raises a smile 

 at the expense of the men who set up such silly " rules " to 

 govern us in breeding poultry, to say nothing of their Heed- 

 lessness and utter impracticability. In fine, to avoid making 

 this article tedious, let me recapitulate my suggestions briefly : 



I would now have a general convention called by the 

 "American Poultry Association," or otherwise, at some 

 point most convenient for the majority of fanciers, say in 

 July or August. I would have this convention attended 

 fully by all the friends to improvement in American poultry. 

 I would then and there invite and allow the fullest discus- 

 sion on this standard question. I would not charge the 

 people three dollars for the opportunity thus to "free their 

 minds " upon this important subject. I would have every- 

 thing conducted fairly, openly, good naturedly, and pleas- 

 antly, with a view to making everybody contented with the 

 results we shall aim to compass. I would recommend the 

 choice of qualified committees to report upon the details of 

 the different requirements in the standard, as to points of 

 excellence for breeding. I would not ask those committees 

 to so "report in three days time, without fail." I would 

 give each committee all the time they need to do their work 

 thoroughly, advisedly, and well; and permit all who cannot 

 readily report to the convention direct to take their work 

 home with them, and report when they have had leisure to 

 complete it, within reasonable limits. I would not, on any 

 pretence, hurry this matter, unduly, on this occasion. I 

 would have the Executive Committee subsequently call a 

 final meeting (when all is submitted), at which any leading 

 breeders should, for this purpose only, also be permitted to 

 meet with them, to conclude and put into form the contents 

 for the revised work. Whatever good, feasible matter is 

 contained in former standards, retain or adopt in this. I 

 would then publish the work at the lowest price it can be 

 put upon the market for, and be well done, without " copy> 

 righting." 



And I believe that such a standard would be welcomed 

 and adopted by every poultry society in the United States ; 

 while breeders, dealers, and fanciers would gladly purchase 

 them, at wholesale, for gratuitous distribution among their 

 customers to a large extent, thus aiding in disseminating the 

 information such a book ought to contain, and indirectly 

 " helping the cause along " among the people at large, who" 

 may be chicken-raisers, but who do not belong to any regu 

 larly organized association. 



While I lay claim to no superior knowledge regarding 

 the subject thus presented, it seems to me, Mr. Editor, that 

 the above hints can hardly be found fault with. They are 

 submitted in good faith, at least, by an experienced breeder, 

 and I trust the views herein set down may be received for 

 what they may seem to bo intrinsicall} 7 worth. 



Mhxkose, Mass., May, 1371. 



(For Fanciers' Journal.) 



THE AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION. 



Editor of Fanciers' Journal. 



The Poultry Association and its action has caused nu- 

 merous comments and criticisms in the columns of many of 

 the agricultural publications of the land and in the pages of 

 the Journal. Some of them seem to be rather severe, but 

 it must be admitted that too many of them are well merited. 

 More than one of the writers who are ready to impugn the 

 motives of the organizers of the Association should bear in 

 mind that their past transactions have not always been 

 above reproach, and for that reason their opposition might 

 cause suspicion rather than confidence ; yet many of them 

 are veterans in our cause, and their experience and years of 

 study entitle their opinions to due weight. 



The abortion of a book to which the Association stands 

 sponsor, and for which it has the impudence to demand one 

 dollar, is deserving of all the slurs and sneers it has re- 

 ceived. Already the Association, almost officially, admits 

 as much, and have taken steps looking to improvement. 

 They demand an opportunity to make amends for their 

 shortcomings, and it is only proper that the fancy of the 

 country give them the desired opportunity to place them- 

 selves right before the world. 



I am only an amateur, in my third year of " the fever," 

 having exhibited but three times, and contented myself 

 with five prizes ; yet I desire to offer a few suggestions re- 

 garding the Association for the attention of my seniors: 



In the first place allow me to suggest a radical change in 

 Article II of the Constitution. In my opinion, the object 

 of the Association should have some other point than 

 " always be for the perfection of tbe American Standard of 

 Excellence ;" for if this standard is ever attained, the prin- 

 cipal object of the Association is accomplished, and it would 

 naturally die. I have no objection to the Association own- 

 ing their present "standard," and if they succeed in com- 

 piling a valuable one, they should certainly retain possession 

 of it. Unless the future efforts of the Association shall be 

 more able than their past have been, I doubt if they are 

 often called upon to "advise with and assist all poultry 



organizations in the selection of judges in 



good standing and ability," and 1 fear it will not receive 

 the cordial support and co-operation of local poultry asso- 

 ciations. 



If the "A. P. A." has no other aim than the manage- 

 ment of the Standard of Excellence, and no other means of 

 support than the profits made on the work, it had better 

 dissolve, and make way for an association with other and 

 nobler aspirations. Were it understood by farmers and the 

 fancy that every member of this Association could be 

 depended upon for strict, honest, and upright dealing, it 

 would be worth at least twenty-five dollars to a breeder to 

 have the privilege of advertising himself as a member of the 

 "A. P. A. ;" and here is the foundation of a successful asso- 

 ciation — a vein that, if properly worked, is of more value 

 (not only to an association, but to the entire fancy of tbe 



