193 



JOUENAL OF HOBTICULTUKB AND COTTAGE GABDENEB. 



[ August 31, 1876. 



out the tails. Sow this was one of the greatest of our agricul- 

 tural shows, and was this exhibitor to be prevented from ever 

 again showing there because of this mistake ? Only last week 

 a Cochin cock was disqualified for a cut comb, which belonged 

 to one of our great exhibitors. We could prove without any 

 doubt that the bird was in the same condition when it passed 

 into that exhibitor's hands, yet is he to bear the blame, especi- 

 ally when he was ignorant of the fact ? and as the vendor of the 

 bird has since retired from the fancy, what would be done in 

 such a case 1 We maintain that much as the poultry world would 

 be benefited by some well-laid-down rules about disqualifying, 

 yet we should be careful how we set about them. In these 

 days, when birds often change hands two or three times in a 

 season, it is very difficult to prove just where or by whom a 

 bird has been plucked, cut, or doctored. Cases of staining and 

 painting would be easier to trace. But even here many an ex- 

 hibitor might be unfairly used and turned out of the list of some 

 show unjustly, for over and over again birds are sold even to 

 clever exhibitors which have been " done-up " in Borne way, 

 yet without detection; and over and over again birds are bought 

 in the exhibition pen at one show because they are apparently 

 perfect, and yet have been well " set in order " before leaving 

 home. 



We hear that two or three of our judges have determined to 

 make a great set against trimming and cutting. We are glad to 

 hear it, and we will back them up in every way provided the 

 cases are genuine and honestly proved, and we hope that those 

 judges will not forget that Hamburgh6' combs are much more 

 chopped about than even the combs of Cochins or Spanish are. 

 Before a clean sweep can be made of " improving " poultry 

 fanciers, we are certain that some definite plan must be gene- 

 rally agreed upon about what is allowed and what is not; 

 whether Spanish, Black Polands, Game, and Hamburghs may 

 be beautified in one part of their bodies but not in others, and 

 if so, to what extent this may go. We really believe that if the 

 judges would have a meeting and throw aside for the occasion 

 any petty jealousies of each other, they might come to some 

 very satisfactory arrangement which would please most exhibi- 

 tors. We would recommend their calling in some of the best 

 authorities and breeders as well, and so try to put things on a 

 better footing; for as matters are now there will always be dis- 

 putes and troubles, as a bird may very likely win the cup under 

 one judge and be disqualified under another. 



As regards enforcing the penalties which our contemporary 

 advocates, much as we agree with it that something wants doing, 

 and that, too, at once, we hardly think that those it proposes 

 will be as pleasing even to honest exhibitors as one might 

 imagine ; for an exhibitor who did not breed all his or her stock 

 would very probably fear some such misfortune arising as it did 

 to the owner of the Cochin hens a few months ago, to the owner 

 of the Spanish cock a few weeks ago, to the owner of the Cochin 

 cock a few days ago, because a disqualification will tend to 

 damage their reputation even though they may be able to prove 

 themselves innocent ; for it is the fact of the thing which jre- 

 mains in the eyes of the world, and it is often impossible to 

 remove the opinion that somehow or other the exhibitor has 

 tried to mislead the judge aDd cheat other exhibitors. Of course 

 some may find out that a bird has been "done up" after it 

 comes into their possession, although they did not know it at 

 the time of purchase, and then they never need show the speci- 

 men ; but there are so many young and less skilled exhibitors, 

 who would never find out anything wrong until the judge had 

 discovered it and the mischief was done. We shall say no more, 

 but look hopefully forward for the introduction of some decisive 

 yet reasonable measures being adopted to remedy the evils of 

 which so many have cause to complain. — W. 



two prizes are promised in the Variety class, where Turkeys 

 still have to take refuge. We doubt very much if the Committee 

 will find the alterations have been for their good. The Leghorn 

 Club guarantee the prizes in the Leghorn classes. The manage- 

 ment at this Show is always extremely good, and the place of 

 exhibition admirable in every way. 



We have heard from Portsmouth in reference to the non-pay- 

 ment of the prizes, and hear that " the Committee are making 

 all the efforts in their power to make wrong right, which they 

 trust with a little indulgence from the exhibitors will enable 

 them to act honourably to all." So far so good. Now, the 

 question arises as to the shape the desired "indulgence" will 

 take. Will it be in only part payment of the prizes, or is it only 

 more time that is required 1 If the latter, we should be glad to 

 hear how the money is proposed to be made up in the extra 

 time. _ We think it would have appeared more satisfactory to 

 exhibitors had the Committee, when the fourteen days had 

 elapsed, sent round a little circular to exhibitors stating their 

 difficulty. 



In the last five months the value of egga imported was 

 £1,247,743; in 1875, £1,286,720. 



POULTRY AND BIRD NEW?. 

 We understand that at Bath the Canaries and other birds are 

 to be exhibited as before in the summer alcoves. Charming 

 as are these recesses for the birds, we fancy they are somewhat 

 chilly and cold. By September the evenings are often very cool 

 and damp, and we have heard of many birds dying from the 

 unwonted exposure. We should recommend all exhibitors con- 

 sequently to see that their cages have a piece of stout muslin 

 or some such Btuff round them to keep out the draughts to some 

 extent. 



The Malmesbury prize money has been paid, and this within 

 a week of the close cf the Exhibition. Such quick settlings 

 well deserve notice. 



We understand that Mrs. Dring disposed of one of the pens 

 of Creves of her late husband's to Mrs. Webb of Stcckingford 

 Vicarage in May last. This was cf course previous to selling 

 the whole of the remainder to Mr. Burrell. 



We are sorry to notice that the Aylesbury schedule has been 

 altered without much improvement. A few extra classes have 

 been added, but the prizes have been all reduced one-fourth. 

 The variety Bantam class has been entirely cut out, and only 



ROCHDALE SHOW OF POULTRY, &c. 



The annual meeting of this flourishing Society was held on 

 the 23rd inst., in the grounds of Clement Boyd, Esq., J.P. The 

 birds were placed in the open air with substantial wood pens 

 fronted with wirework. 



Spanish were first on the list, and these were of fair quality 

 and moderately forward. Cochins wer9 very good in both classes, 

 Buffs winning except the first in cockerels. Brahmas, Dark cock 

 first, a splendid bird, the remainder moderate. The pullets 

 very well pencilled and sound in ground colour. Light were 

 good, especially the pullets. In Game the Brown Beds were by 

 far the best, the winners being well chosen. Polish were young, 

 and were not of the highest merit. Hamburghs produced some 

 capital chickens. Gold-spangled cockerels were very good so 

 far as the winners were concerned, the second being highly 

 promising. The first bird was about perfect, and was claimed, 

 we were told, for £10 10s. In pullets were some almost equal to 

 the hens in spangling. The Silver-spangled cockerels that won 

 will be heard cf again, both being of good quality; but the 

 pullets were better than the Gold-pencilled cockerels. First a 

 well-grown bird in good order ; second quite young but a perfect 

 bird. Pullets good and fine in pencilling, which worked well 

 up the tail. The Silver-pencilled cockerels were not equal to 

 the pallets, though the first was a very good one. Pallets very 

 well grown and fall of marking of the right stamp, but nothing 

 was more perfect than the Blacks, for while three of the cockerels 

 were near perfection, some of the pullets surpassed all the wish 

 of breeders of but a few years ago, and it is quite certain that 

 nothing has ever been seen equal to the first- prize bird. Dork- 

 ings were but moderate in quality; but the Soudans were 

 much better in some points than we generally see them at this 

 season, but bad in comb. Malays good and forward. To our 

 surprise two Variety classes produced no entries. Game Bantam 

 cockerels were only moderate except the winners, first being a 

 j Black Bed, second a Pile, and third Brown Bed. Pullets were 

 ! better and showed to greater advantage than the cocks. The 

 Variety class was made-up of Blacks and Sebrights, but the 

 classes were not superior. Ducks and Geese were mostly of any 

 age, as also the Turkeys, there being a capital show of these. 



Pigeons were a grand display, the standard birds being 

 much better than the other varieties, though, as a rule, most of 

 the Pouters were very bad in feather, and the pens being some- 

 what small for them. In Carriers were some birds fit to make 

 the eyes of an old fancier sparkle. Foremost among these being 

 the Black cock shown by Mr. Fulton, and one placed second 

 and 6hown by Mr. Hedley, the latter losing only in body, had 

 an exquisite beak and eye wattle, the former being set on the 

 right way. Several extra prizes were awarded. Almond Tum- 

 blers were very good, an extra second being given. Mr. Baker's 

 Kite was again to the front, with a good Bed second, and 

 Agate third. Balds and Beards producing better birds than we 

 have seen of late. English Owls were divided into two classes, 

 the Blues being best. Antwerps were a good entry, the awards 

 being evidently made on no fixed standard, but as is often the 

 case in accordance with the taste of the Judge. Fantails were 

 very good. Dragoons were large classes and mostly well placed. 

 There were some very cheap birds in the Selling classes. 



With a very good list and in the centre of the stronghold of 

 the Babbit club, we certainly expected to find more than ninety- 

 two entries. Lop-eared Self-colour were rightly placed, but the 

 broken colours were decidedly wrong. The first a Fawn-and- 

 white, the second a Black-and-white, which we thought should 

 have been first. Silver-Greys were not well placed, the best 

 being left out altogether. As we have remarked before, con- 

 dition Beems to be no point with the Eabbit-clab Judges. An- 

 goras were a fair lot, and seemed to be properly placed, although 



