208 



JOUENAL OF HOBTICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GAKDENEE. 



t Septemher 14, 1871. 



good an object. I should ba pleased, for one, to do so ; and 

 who bnt onr good chaplain should start such a Christian — for 

 it would or ought to be a Christian — undertaking? 



Perhaps I may have a word or two further by-and-by ; I only 

 say now, the prizes should be worth winning. I have been 

 disgusted sometimes — nay, often — in reading schedules of so- 

 called " Cottagers' Horticultural Shows " at the amounts offered. 

 Lady Bountiful " presents " a " special prize " of 5s., or at the 

 outside 7s. dd., and so on. I often wonder people are not 

 ashamed to contend for their guineas in plate, and then oiier 

 to "poor" people the few shillings which are the rule, and at 

 the same time expect them to be thankful to any amount for 

 their very small mercies. And, as there ought to be an en- 

 trance-tee, I would suggest that it should not, if possible, 

 exceed Is. There are many difficulties that will easily suggest 

 themselves to all acquainted with the subject, but I think 

 they might be overcome, and trust they may be, if the matter 

 be followed up. — L. Weight. 



MANCHESTER AND LIVERPOOL POULTRY 

 SHOW. 



It was pleasing to find tliat this year not only did the entries in the 

 poultry department far exceed those of former years, hnt that the 

 general qnality of the specimens exhibited had proportionably im- 

 proved. The weather on the opening day was exceedingly fine, and 

 the attendance far exceeded that at most previons meetings. All the 

 arrangements for the poultry were excellent, though there was not 

 sufficient help to pen the birds on their arrival so expeditiously as was 

 desirable. 



Grey Dorldngs were good, hut not nnexceptionably so, many of the 

 pens being evidently iujured materially by overforcing, a failing that, 

 like all excessive repletion, brings with it leg-disease in poultry. The 

 class for Silver- Grey Dorkings was quite a failure. Heavy trimming 

 in the Spanish class was noticeable to a great extent, and good pens 

 were passed by the Julges entirely on this account. The Cochins were 

 by far the best classes seen as yet this year, Mr. Taylor's Buffs and 

 Mr. Sidgwick'e Parti irlge being most praiseworthy, and shown in abso- 

 lutely faultless condition. The Dark Brahmos were far superior to 

 the Light-feathered, and, in fact, the Judges seemed to be perplexed 

 to find any pen that was a worthy recipient of the third prize for the 

 latter variety. Although the Game classes abounded with good birds, 

 the bulk were either suffering from too recent dubbing of the cocks, or, 

 on the other hand, were by far too young and undeveloped for compe- 

 tition. Hamlnirgiis generally were the best-filled classes in the Show, 

 the Blaelis, the Golden-spangled, and the Pencilled of both varieties 

 being such as have made the Lancashire breeders so celebrated for 

 their specimens of these local favourites. Polands, which at most 

 shows are bnt badly represented, were here not only shown in abund- 

 ance but of an excellence for which we were quite unprepared. The 

 uniform high perfection of the crests of the pullets must be especially 

 referred to. Creve-Cceurs were abundant in the Variety class, as were 

 Malays far beyond mediocrity, and also some first-rate White Dork- 

 ings. Bantams were hardly sufficiently matured to be seen to advan- 

 tage, dubbing combined with heavy moulting having told considerably 

 against them. "~ r::. 



Of both the Eonen and Aylesbury DucJcs it is difficult to speak too 

 highly — in fact, both varieties have rarely been better shown. Geese 

 were vei-y superior in both classes, but the TurTzeys were scarcely so 

 good as those shown at some of the previous exhibitions this year. 



We understand that the erection of all the pens, and their protection 

 from sudden storms by means of awnings over the pens, but still 

 leaving sufficient room for the comfort of the visitors, were carried out 

 under the direction of the Messrs. Jennison, of Belle Vue, Manchester, 

 and we cannot but suggest that many of the Lancashire and Yorljshire 

 committees might enhance greatly the successes of their shows by 

 becoming close copyists. The feeding and watering of the birds were 

 in all cases very carefully carried out ; and although so many other 

 objects of interest were presented on all sides, we think no portion of 

 the Show was more generally inspected by the public than the poultry 

 department. We published last week a list of the awards, as well as 

 the names of the Judges. 



THE BIRMINGHAM POULTRY SHOW. 



The prize lists for the next of the great annnal exhibitions at 

 Bingley Hall — the twenty-third of the series — which commences on 

 the 25th of November, are in circulation, and will, we have no doubt, 

 be regarded with satisfaction by every well-wisher of this important 

 undertaking. They are more comprehensive than any which have 

 been previously issued, the Council having evidently spared no. pains to 

 render them as useful and generally acceptable as possible. 



The piincipal points to be mentioned are that ten-guinea silver cups, 

 or other articles of plate, are offered for the best Dorking cock, for the 

 best Cochin-China cock, and for the best Brahma cock ; and for the 

 best Black or Brown-breasted Game cock ; £5 silver cups for the best 

 Spanish cock, for the best Pencilled Hamburgh cock, for the best 



Spangled Hamburgh cock, for the best Black or Spangled Polish cock, 

 and for the best Game cock among the Duckwinged, Black, and Brassy- 

 winged, or White and Pile. It is expressly stated that where a bird 

 takes one of these pieces of plate the money prize specified as the first 

 for that particular class will be withheld. An extra pidze of £5 is 

 offered by Mr. H. Lloyd, jnn., for the best Buff Cochin cock of the 

 present year, bred by the exhibitor, who must reside within twenty 

 miles of Birmingham. The winner of the cup for the best Black or 

 Brown-breasted Game cock will receive an extra prize of £3 3.5. from 

 Messrs. M. Billing, Son, and Co., and the winner of the other cup for 

 Game cocks a silver medal, value £3 3s., from Mr. Ottley. Mr. J. 

 Watts will give, in addition to any other prize, £3 3s. for the best 

 pair of Hamburgh hens or pullets, and a few amateurs an extra prize 

 of £J: is. for thebest pen of Black East Indian Ducks. The number 

 of class prizes has been sUghtly curtailed by the omission of the follow- 

 ing : — The fourth for Partridge Cochin cockerels, the fourth for SUver- 

 penciUed Hamburgh cocks, the fifth and sixth for Golden-spangled 

 Hamburgh cocks, the fifth and sixth for Silver-spangled Hamburgh 

 cocks, the fifth for hens or pullets of the same variety, the sixth for 

 Blactcireasted Eed Game cockerels, the sixth for hens or pullets of the- 

 same variety, the sixth for Brown and other Eed cockerels, and the 

 fifth for Duckwing or other Grey and Bine cockerels. 



The schedule for Pigeons has been enlarged and improved by the 

 opening of classes for young Carriers of the present year — "Black'' 

 and " Any other colour ;" for Barbs bred in 1871 ; and for Silver 

 Dragoons ; a third prize of 10s. being allotted to the Fantails, of 

 which there is generally a large muster. Over and above the class 

 distinctions a few members of the Birmingham Philoperisteron Society 

 oft'er three silver cups, value £3 3s. each, for the best pair of Carriers, 

 the best pair- of Fantails, and for the best pair of Dragoons. The 

 Birmingham Columbarian Society give a silver cnp, value £3 3s., as 

 an extra prize for the best pair of Antwerps, and one of the same 

 amount for the best pair of any new or distinct variety not enumerated 

 in the list. An extra prize of £3 3s. is offered by Mr. J. H. Dawes 

 for the best Pouter cock; a silver medal, value £3 3s., by Mr. Ottley, 

 for the best Pouter hen; and a silver cup, value £3 3s., by Mr. K. 

 Fulton, for the best pair of Barbs batched during the present year. 



The entries in all departments will close on Saturday, October 28tb, 

 and intending competitors should make application to Mr. Lythall, 

 the Secretary, for copies of the lists and regulations. 



CRYSTAL PALACE POULTRY AND PIGEON 

 SHOW. 



We have received a copy of the schedule of the above Show, which 

 is to be held on November 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th, in the nave of 

 the Palace, a place unsurpassed for an exhibition of this kind. Last 

 year the Pigeons only were placed there, and the lights and surround- 

 ings added so much to the success of the Show, that the poultry are 

 this year also to be exhibited in the nave. 



Seldom have we seen better classified or more valuable prizes 

 offered. There are thirty-five silver cups and extra prizes for poultry, 

 and twenty-four for Pigeons, and money prizes amounting to nearly 

 £1000. We little expected three years ago, when we first drew attention 

 to the want of a Ponltiy and Pigeon Show in London, that one would 

 in so short a time have achieved the success and taken the position 

 amongst our annual shows that the Crystal Palace Show has done. 

 This is due in a great measure to the energies of the Committee, the 

 confidence placed in them by exhibitors and friends, and to the fact that 

 Londoa is in most eases in direct communication by rail with nearly 

 every town in Great Britain. 



There are separate classes for old and young birds in most of the 

 varieties ; the cocks shown singly, and pairs of hens or pullets. This 

 is a great improvement, for last year in many classes old and yonng 

 competed together. The poultry have three prizes of £3, £1 10s., 

 and 10s. The Pigeon prizes have been increased to £2, £1, and 10s. 

 The Dorkings are divided into eight classes, with four cups distributed 

 amongst them. The cocks hare a separate class, and a cup to com- 

 pete for. Cochins have ten classes and eight cups. The Whites have 

 out of this number three. Dark Brahmas come next with four classes. 

 Light the same number. There are six cups between them. Spanish 

 have three cups and four classes. French art. divided into four classes 

 and two cups. Hambnrghs are to be shown cock and hen together. 

 Game have eight classes, the Duckwings competing by themselves. 

 There are three cups and an extra prize distributed amongst the 

 Game. Polish are divided into three classes, and a cup for the 

 best pen. There is a separate class for Malays, and a cup for 

 Any variety, and three money prizes in addition. Black or Brown 

 Game Bantams have a class for old birds, cock and hen ; all the 

 young ones are to be shown as single cockerels and pairs of hens or 

 pullets. And here we find a novelty — a cup is to be given for the 

 best pair of Wheaten hens. All Game Bantam breeders L-now how 

 necessary it is to obtain these birds if they wish to get some good 

 chickens. Prizes are never offered to them, still a great many are dis- 

 tributed in different parts of the country, and, no doubt, we shall find 

 a good entry of this very useful variety. There are three Selling 

 classes with eight money prizes in each class. Last year nearly the 

 whole of the birds entered in these classes changed owners. 



The Pigeon schedule is, perhaps, the most comprehensive ever 

 issued, including as it does nearly every variety. Pouters come first 



