288 



JOUBNAL OF HORTICULTXJEB AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. 



[ October 12, 1871. 



£1 Is.— Total, £10 10s. I hope when the breeders of Light 

 Brahmas know that these cnps are to be given that we may 

 expect a very good collection of birds. — H. M. Maysakd. 



HANDICAPPING EXHIBITORS. 



I WAS pleased to see the remarks of Mr. Eell on this subject, 

 which I happen to know has of late been freely talked of as 

 well as written about, and I was especially pleased at his 

 caution against amateurs attempting too many breeds. A 

 further reason against this, which he does not state, is that one 

 breed, in a measure, spoils the eye for others of a different 

 character, so that even a judge will not arbitrate so correctly 

 or with so much ease in certain classes, after just judging other 

 classes, as he can do when he comes to them with eye and 

 mind fresh and unbiassed. But I now desire only to call at- 

 tention to the fundamental error which lies at the root of all 

 these discussions. I have done so before ; but convinced as I 

 am that the very best interests of the fancy are involved, it can 

 hardly be done too often as occasion arises. 



The error, of course, is the assumption that an equal dis- 

 tribution of prizes is the object to be attained. This being 

 assumed, the analogy between handicapping a horse and doing 

 the same for an exhibitor is obvious ; it is done to give the 

 inferior a " fairer chance " of winning, and if winning, only, be 

 the end in view, no doubt the arguments are sound. But it is 

 to this notion, I believe, every vice and fraud in the fancy, 

 without exception, owes its oiigin. It leads to the disgraceful 

 system of betting, to which Mr. Hewitt drew attention some 

 time ago, and which is still going on ; it leads to the most 

 shameful and shameless borrowing of birds, and it leads above 

 all to that system of -fraud in plucking and other "pre- 

 paration," which many of us feel keenly are a disgrace to us 

 all. If encouraged, such a notion always must and will lead to 

 these things. 



But I confess I cling yet to the belief that shows are esta- 

 blished, and that many honourable amateurs still breed and 

 show their fowls for other objects, and chiefly for these two : — 

 1, The real improvement of poultry in either beauty or value ; 

 and 2, the greater diffusion of a love and taste for, and success 

 in, poultry-keeping. I believe the judges also so regard it. I 

 cannot believe that Mr. Hewitt would care to devote the greater 

 part of his time to judging shows if he only considered his 

 awards in the light of paying money and deciding bets. He 

 must believe that his work is of a higher character, and that in 

 doing it he is of some real use to his generation. And if this 

 be granted, it is impossible to resist the conclusion that the 

 objects named can be secured in no other way than that in any 

 given class the best birds win. Suppose that by any system of 

 handicapping, the Judge I have named, or Mr. Teebay, or any 

 other acknowledged as an authority, finds himself compelled to 

 award the first prize to a pen which he knows is only fourth or 

 sixth in order of merit, because its owner is a beginner ! — I will 

 not stay to inquire whether any judges worth having would 

 consent to act under such restrictions — but suppose he did, 

 what would be the results ? The first would be that, as no one 

 could know exactly how much the winner owed to handicapping, 

 or if he owed anything at all, except from his own knowledge of 

 fowls, every ignorant breeder or visitor to the show would be- 

 lieve those birds to be bad which were really the only perfect 

 specimens, and be led to seek an entirely wrong standard for 

 his own, by which the breed would rapidly become deteriorated. 

 That this is no imaginary danger is proved by the eft'eots 

 which can always be observed by a keen eye to follow even one 

 great error in judging at any important show. The second 

 result would be, that the winner would be contented with his 

 inferior birds, and would go on breeding them ; whilst, if a 

 real amateur, he would by the present system be spurred on 

 either to purchase, or, better still, to breed superior stock. And 

 as no real fancier can ever be long satisfied without really good 

 birds, he must as the truth dawns upon him become dis- 

 couraged. And so in both ways evil is done. 



I would say, further, that any such system is needless. 

 The great breeders who have been so complained of, win, not 

 because it is a matter of money to them, for with several of 

 them it is not ; not because they have command of money, for 

 some of them are men of small means ; but simply because 

 they study their fowls. And I say deliberately, that every one 

 who will do this — who keeps fowls because be loves them, and 

 will care for them, and watch them, and learn to understand 

 them for himself, can attain success ; and what is more, will find 

 readily fanciers who will find a real pleasure in and help him 



to it. How much I owe myself to some two or three who were 

 Brahma breeders before me I could not express in a written 

 paper. But those of us who breed good birds do not produce 

 them on the " any price " system. We do not go to a show to 

 claim the first-prize cock, whatever he is, and then buy the 

 first-prize pullets to mate with him. All three birds may be 

 rightly judged, and be the very best of their sort, and yet 

 will rather more likely than not breed mere trash. We look 

 our birds over with loving care ; we observe them day after day, 

 gradually discovering faults even our eyes did not at first ob- 

 serve ; and every one of these, and every individual peculiarity, 

 is carefully weighed and allowed for before the partners for 

 them are finally decided on. Often first conclusions are dis- 

 carded ; some hidden point strikes the attention, and de- 

 mands another mate than that originally intended. Hours and 

 hours are spent on this question of mating, but it is time well 

 employed. And that is how real breeders win, or breed and 

 sell birds which win in other names. That is how anyone- 

 may win his share who will take the pains and time to do it. 



I confess I would not, if I could, have this altered ; and I 

 certainly speak with disinterested motives, for no one shows 

 more rarely than I do, though I often supply birds to those wha 

 do. I would not have winning " made easy." There is some- 

 thing to me desirable in having a superiority which money 

 cannot buy ; and if I envy anybody, it is the feeling of the poor 

 working man who has beaten in fair and severe competition 

 the rich rival who has bought the best pen his money could pro- 

 cure. I. have often seen this done, it is often done even now,, 

 and the man has a right to be proud who does it. It is hard 

 work I grant ; but it is just the fact that it is hard work which 

 makes the satisfaction of it. 



I would, however, always seek to avoid extremes, and there 

 is one point that the discussion has, I think, shown to be de- 

 sirable — that of having in smaller shows really local classes. 

 These would meet all desirable objects without the objections 

 I have mentioned. There would be no false pretences. The 

 beginner would simply learn, if he won, that he had the best in 

 his neighbourhood, and might thereby be encouraged to at- 

 tempt having the best in the kingdom. But I speak, and the 

 distinction is very important, of local classes, not local cup^. 

 Local cups only, in general classes, are open to all the ob- 

 jections of handicapping ; but local classes can deceive no one, 

 and will accomplish all the good desired. If the first-prize pei^ 

 in the local class, as occasionally happens, really beats that 

 in the open class, there are several easy ways of giving the due 

 distinction. 



As to buying, it can never be stopped, nor is it to be wished 

 that it should. There is, however, one comfort — great buyers 

 never learn to breed. I could name at least three prominent 

 winners lately who have never yet bred a good bird for them- 

 selves, and while they buy in this reckless style never will. 

 What pleasure there can be in it passes my comprehension ; it 

 is mere pride, not in the least real " poultry fancy." But,, 

 nevertheless, the high prices these people pay are one great 

 support of those who are fanciers, and I do not see why anyone- 

 should complain. — L. Weight. 



I WAS very glad to see that somebody was fighting against 

 " handicapping," and I quite agree with Mr. Eell, and second, 

 his suggestions, and I also think with him with regard to Vne> 

 remedies and objections he throws out ; but I must confess^ 

 that I do not like to see a man " walk oS " with all the prizes 

 offered in one class, and this is often done. I suggest that 

 exhibitors should only be allowed to show one pen in each 

 class. I think this might be arranged to the advantage both 

 of exhibitors and committees. I fancy that Mr,. ISell and others 

 will agree with me here, at least I hope so* — One Vakiett. 



WHEATEN BANTAMS— GAISIE BANTAMS. 



In " Onr Letter Box," in your number of September ,28l;h,. 

 I observe amongst answers to correspoiudents that the Wheaten 

 Bantam is not clearly described. Will' you allow me to remark 

 that the bird you describe is a cross between a Wheaten and a 

 Partridge Bantam ? I have several o f the pure Wheaten breed, 

 and also many like jour description. 



The Wheaten hen should have a clear golden hackle, a light 

 wheat-coloured breast, belly, and tljigh, a clear buff body and 

 wing, black tail, with the outer tail-coverts slightly marked or 

 laced with buff. Many of the Wh-«aten hens have two shades 

 of buff in the wings, the lightei; shade edging each feather. 

 The legs should be light willow, or yellow, and the syea clear 



