August 2i, 1876. ] 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



175 



We will give one or two examples. " One of the best Brown Red 

 cooks in England, two years old, stand death," recently appeared 

 as an advertisement. Now we ask, What does this mean ? Is it 

 that the said Brown Red bird will stand, and not be in any other 

 position when the cruel hand of death overtakes it? or is it that 

 it is cat-like and rejoices in many lives, only one or two of which 

 have been lost when the bird is offered for sale ? or is it that it is 

 invulnerable and will live on for ever? or what does it mean ? 

 "W"e confess we are confused, and fear the Brown Red must be 

 still for sale. Here is another — one, however, almost as mysti- 

 fying: "Spanish cock, nearly blind, with white, and one hen 

 have prized;" but whether the advertiser considers that the 

 Spanish cock in question to have been perfect should have been 

 quice blind with white or partially so with any colour, or 

 whether the blindness spoken of in a fit of desperate honesty, 

 and the cause of the blindness merely added as a sop, we cannot 

 determine. Anyhow, the partially blind cock which " has 

 prized," will, we fear, hang on hand. The next column, how- 

 ever, provides us with an absolute bargain. Imagine fowls 

 at id. each, for we read in this thrilling advertisement, " Three 

 fowls for Is." There is a delicate silence as to the breed, age, 

 and general minutiae, but for such a bargain the world must be 

 clamorous, and we hope the three fourpenny chicks were not so 

 young as to die en route to their new home. Just above that, 

 however, we read that there is someone in London (of negro 

 extraction we should almost think), who with a fresh and whole- 

 some mind wants white things around him. Dorkings, Spanish, 

 Cochins, and Brahmas are offered for exchange, but the offers 

 must be " white." Does the advertiser when he puts " white 

 offers " expect to be deluged with offers of people and things from 

 other countries ? or can "white" be a misprint for "write?" 

 But surely this is improbable, for no one can imagine that these 

 birds would be sent for by special messenger or by telegram. 

 One more quotation and we have done. " Three hens, three 

 cocks, twelve pullets, and a cockerel." " Must be sold before 

 Wednesday." The day we are writing on is the actual Wednes- 

 day, and we cannot help wondering if the nineteen birds have 

 found a new home. We Bhould be afraid not, for only three 

 clear days, and one of those a Sunday, were allowed for this 

 speedy sale; and as neither the price was given, nor the 

 address of the advertiser, some sort of correspondence would 

 necessarily have to ensue. The above is a type of advertise- 

 ment which is sent out to the world. We are sure advertise- 

 ments cannot he drawn up too plainly or too fully, for people feel 

 much more inclined to answer an advertisement which will not 

 necessitate much correspondence, and which Btates directly what 

 is for sale, than they do those which simply state the name of 

 the article and give no particulars or prices. 



There are the advertisements, too, of forthcoming shows and 

 meetings, which are not nearly plain enough ; for instance, 

 some little town which is not well known gets up a poultry show 

 and advertises it, but never states the county it is in, and 

 consequently exhibitors do not take the trouble to write for 

 schedules, thinking it may be in some inaccessible place. Very 

 likely the town has no station, and is dependant on that of a 

 neighbouring place, and so the "Bradshaw" can give no help. 

 Only this week we attended a show which in its advertisement 

 never stated the name of the county the town was in, and as it 

 had no station we heard afterwards of two exhibitors who would 

 have exhibited had they known where the place was. We could 

 find nothing to direct us as to its stations, and when we arrived 

 we found ourselves separated from the exhibition by a cab fare 

 of lis. We would urge on all advertisers, especially those of 

 " coming events," who to a great extent depend upon the public 

 for their support, to be very particular in describing their 

 county when the place is not generally known, and even to 

 state on what line of railway it is situated, and what are the 

 best trains and stations. The small sums the extra words in 

 the advertisements would cost them would be amply repaid by 

 increased entries and support. 



Advertisers cannot be too sufficiently accurate in the truth of 

 their advertisements. Of course, no papers will be responsible 

 for the truth of statements any more than they will be of the 

 trustworthiness of the buyers and sellers; but statements, often 

 made for want of thought, place advertisers in disagreeable 

 positions, for there will always be found some ready to think 

 the errors were done purposely. We noticed in a contemporary 

 last week an advertisement about an illustration which was 

 stated to have appeared in its columns, but which we believe 

 never did, for it belonged to another journal entirely. We do 

 not donbt but that this error was made by want of thought 

 simply, and yet we learn that there was someone ready to 

 " carch up " this advertiser and to proclaim him in the wrong. 

 This statement was, however, made in such an open sort of 

 way that we can but believe the advertisement was drawn up 

 by mistake, and not done so to gain honour for the birds, 

 which notice and illustration in the contemporary in question 

 would have gained them. Many are the advertisements of the 

 nature we have quoted from, and we could give instances of 

 some even yet more abstruse, but we have told of enough, we 



hope, to put our readers on their guard against ever compiling 

 such foolish compositions. — W. 



OLDHAM SHOW OF POULTRY, &c. 

 This year we are happy to relate the Oldham Show was held 

 under more favourable circumstances than was that of last year, 

 for though showers fell at intervals the day was tolerably fine ; 

 in fact there was no impediment to the influx of visitors. Tur- 

 ner's pens were used on this occasion and placed in the open 

 air; the sky breeze seeming to chill some of the Pigeons, which 

 were more unluckily placed than the poultry, which had the 

 fence to shield them. 



The Show was for young birds of this year in the poultry 

 section, and being the first of the season great interest was 

 manifested ; our experience leading us to believe that great size 

 is not to be a striking feature of this season's produce. Some 

 of the classes were very weak, and from the Brown Red chickens 

 that won in the first class we found nothing of great note till 

 we came to the Cochins, in both classes of which were some ex- 

 cellent birds ; the first prize Buff pullet was almost as high in 

 colour as a well-peppered Canary. Next to these were the Gold- 

 spangled Hamburghs, among which were pullets almost equal 

 to hens in point of spangling, and in our opinion an improve- 

 ment on all previous years. Black Hamburghs were really 

 grand, the plumage of some of the pullets being almost like 

 polished metal. Bantams, Game pretty good, and Black very 

 good. The Ducks in both classes large and well forward in 

 feather. 



Pigeons were a larger entry than the poultry, the local classes 

 assisting greatly in enhancing the interest in the Show. Carriers 

 had two classes. In cocks Mr. Walker's champion Blue was 

 left out. In hens, first was a grand Dun, but we thought Mr. 

 Walker's Dun should have been second. The best birds in the 

 Turbits were left out. Pens 630 and 632 should have occupied 

 their position, the winners being very foul-thighed — a point 

 that no doubt escaped the notice of the Judge. Jacobins and 

 Farrtails were placed, as also foreign Owls, which were good. 

 In Blue and Silver Dragoons the greatest mistake occurred, the 

 first going to a bad White Carrier. The same exhibitor's Silver 

 should have been second, and Mr. Wood's Silver first. Any 

 other colour were well placed; first Yellow and second Red. 

 Antwerps were a good entry, the young class producing some 

 wonderful birds. 



Babbits had twenty-eight entries in seven classes. In Lop 

 bucks first was a Black-and-white, rather bad in colour and thin, 

 but by far the best in other points ; second also Black-and-white ; 

 and third Sooty Fawn ; an otherwise good Blue was very crooked 

 in leg. la does we were surprised to see so much improvement 

 in Messrs. Sehofield and Barrett's Black doe, left out at Idle 

 for badly-cankered ears, and she was consequently placed first ; 

 second was the same exhibitor's Fawn-and- white; a third prize 

 wasawarded, but this wastoavery crooked-legged Rabbit. Dutch 

 were pretty good ; the first a very promising one, not so good in 

 blaze as the second, but more evenly cut. Angoras were good 

 and fine in wool, and Himalayans a nice lot. The Silver-Grey 

 winner at Idle was again first here, and has without doubt one 

 of the best coats of fur of any Rabbit living ; the rest very good 

 specimens. The Variety class had Belgian Hares, but they were 

 poor. 



POULTRY— G&m— Black-breasted and other Beds— Chickens.— 1,1. Dyson. 

 2, J. F. Walton. 3, W. A. F. Fenwicfc. Any other colour.— 1, Ambler and 

 Hartley. 2, T. Dyson. Spanish. -Chickens. -1 and 2, J. Roberts. Dorkings. 

 —Chickens.— 1. 3. Walker. 2. T. Briden. Brahma Pootra.— Chickens— 1, R.P. 

 Percival. 2.E.Pritchard. S. R. ->onthern. Cochin-China. —Bujfand Cinnamon. 

 — Chickens.— 1 and 2, C. Sidg-wick. S.J. Walker. Any other colour.— Chickens. 

 — 1 anl 3, C. Sidgwiek 2, R. P. Percival. Hambtrghs.— Gold pencilled.— 

 Chickens.— 1, G. & F. Duckworth. 2, W. A. F. Fenwick. Silver-pencilled — 

 Chickens— I, H. Smth. Gold-spanqled — Chickens.— I and 2, G. & F. Duck- 

 worih. 3, T. Scholes. SUver-spangled — Chickens— 1, S. Lancashire 2, H. 

 Stanworth. 3, Mrs. E S. Milnes- Black.— Chickens— \ and 3. C. Sedgwick. 2, 

 M. Lancashire. Polish.— Chickens.— 1 and 2, J Fearnley. French.— Chickens. 

 — 1, J. E. Clavton. 2, a.. Ognen 3, F. H. Stiricker. Game Bantams— Red.— 

 Chickens— 1. W. Sutcliffe. 2, W. 1. Entwisle. S.E.Walton. Black —Chickens. 

 — 1 and 3, C. & J Illingworth. 2, E. Walton. Bantams.— Any other variety.— 

 Chickens. -1. E. Wa'toa. 2, J. Walker. 3, T. Dyson. Ant other Variety.— 

 1,J. F Walton. 2, A Smith. 3, J. T. Wrig ey. Ducklings.— Aylesbury —1 and 

 2, J. Walker. S.W.George. Bouen.-l and2, J. Walker. 3, J. Brookwell. vhc, 

 W. H. Rothwell. Any other Varieti.— 1 and 2, J. Walker. 3, T. Whittaker. 

 Goslings— 1, J. Walker. 2 and 3, T. Mills. TORKEys.— 1, J. Walker. 2, J. 

 Brookwell. 



PIGEONS (District Competition).— Carriers.— Cock.—l, J. Walker. 2, J. 

 Gardner. Hen.— 1 and •!,. I. Gardner. Pouters. — Cock.— I. J. Gardner. 2, W. 

 Harvey. Hen.— 1 and 2, W. Harvey. Barbs.— Cock or Hen— 1. J. Walker. 2. 

 J. F. Oilier. Tdkbits.— Cock or Hen— 1. K White. 2. A. Simpson. Jacobins. 

 —Cock or Hen.—\, J. Gardner. 2. J. Walker. Fantails.— Cock or Hen.— 1 and 

 2. J. F. LoversHge. Owls — English— Cock or Hen.—l, R. White. 2. J. 

 Gardner. Foreign —Cock or Hen.— 1, A. Simpson. 2, R. O. Fielding. Dra 

 goons.— Blue or Silver.— Cock or Hen.—l. R. White 2, S. Dronsfield. Any 

 other colour— Cock or Sen— 1, R Wood. 2. J Gardner- Tumblers — Right.— 

 CockorHen.-l, W. Harvev. 2, E. O. Fielding. Any other variety.— Cock or 

 Hen.— 2. J. Brown. Belgians.— Silver, Dun, Red-chequered Short-faced.— 

 Cock or Hen.—l, W. Hilton, z. J. Wright. Any other colour Short-faced.— 

 Cock or Hen —1 and 2, J. Wright. Silver, Dun. or Red chequered Long faced.— 

 Cock or Hen.—l and 2, J. Wright. Any other colour Lona-faced—Cock or Hen. 

 — 1, T. Chapoel. 2, J. Wright. Any other variety.— Cock or Hen.—l, W. 

 Harvey. 2, D. H. Gartsipe. Selling Class.- Cock or Hen.— 1, R. White. 2, 

 G. H. Trickett. 



YOUNG PI +EONS.— Carreer?.— CocSorHen.— 1, J.Bamiorth. 2, W.Deakm. 

 Dragoons.— Cock or Hen.—l, W. Smith. 2, J. -Gardner. Barbs.— Cock or 



