February 2, 1871. ] 



JOUKNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



Ghould say it is in a good state of health. The difficulty is to keep it 

 iong healthy, especially after it flowera. 



AspHALTE Walks {A Lady).~TheTe is no objection to asphalte garden 

 walks except their colour, if they are quite hard ia T\'arm weather. The 

 Company you inquire about ia the Val de Travers Asphalte Company, 

 Leadenhali Street, London, E.G. 



Box Hedge Straggling (If. (?.)•— Your only plan will be to cut it well" 

 in this spring, clipping with the shears, which may be done to any extent' 

 but as you do not wish for greater height, we would confine the cutting 

 to the sides, merely removing any straggling growths at the top, so as to 

 promote uniformity of growth. It is well not to i)rune or clip too early. 

 From the middle of April to the end of May is a good time, but the work 

 may safely be done after the Box begins growth. 



Raising Herbaceous Plants from Seed (Idem). — As you wish for 

 plants for sale, it will be necessary to grow the most popular kinds. They 

 may be sown in May in the open ground, in rich light soil, watering in 

 dry weather, and when large enough to handle prick them off about 

 3 inches apart: — Alyssum sasatile compactum, Anemone coronaria va- 

 rieties, AntiiThinum varieties, Aquilegia vulgaris varieties, A. vulgaris 

 oaryophylloides varieties, Arabis alpina, Auriculas, Double Daisy, Canter- 

 bury Bells, Delphinium formosum, Double Feverfew, Gentiana acaulis, 

 Geum cocciueum, Pansies {for spring flowering sow in July), Hollyhocks, 

 Musk, Myosotis sylvatica, blue, rose, and white ; Pentstemona, Phlox 

 decusaata, Pinks, Carnations, Picotees, Polyanthuses, Rockets, Brompton 

 and Intermediate Stocks (sow the middle of July), Sweet Williams and 

 Wallflowers. Red lead will not iojure vegetable seeds, and it efl"ectually 

 protects them from birds, mice, and rats. The last did us great mischief 

 in the past year, until we coated the seeds with red lead before sowing. 



Names of Fruits (Rev. C. Badham).—!, Keinette Blanche d'Espagne ; 

 2, Northern Spy ; 3, Foulden Pearmain. 



POULTRY, BEE, AI^D PIGEOH CHROJTICLE. 



RESULTS OF POULTRY-KEEPING. 

 It is olteu said that comparisons ara odious, and to those who 

 cannot bear to take the inferior place they certainly are so, but 

 I should be glad i{ any of your readers would favour me with 

 their experiences on the following statement, as I might then 

 either learn in what way others have been more successful, or 

 be the means of affording information to them. 



• Eggs set UG 



Chickens hatched 93, or 63 per cent. 



Chickens reared 59, or 4) per cent. 



Of these thirtj'-five were cocks and twenty-four hens. — W. H. 



ABERDEEN POULTRY AND PIGEON SHOW. 



{From a Gorrespondent.) 



This again maintained its position as one of the leading exhibitions 

 in the northern part of the kingdom. The entries were more nnmerons 

 than on any previous occasion, and the quality of the stock exhibited has 

 rarely been eqnalled. Of the arrangements I can only say that they 

 were well matured bj an efficient committee, and faithfully carried 

 out by an active secretary and assistants. 



^ Game. — The class for single cocks was represented by twenty-five 

 birds of rare escellence, many of them having gained first prizes at 

 other shows, and all being fit to win. The single hen class was nearly 

 as good. The cockerels and pullets were by far the best, although 

 some of the unnoticed pens should have been in the prize list. Manv 

 good judges thought pen No. 105 should have carried off the cup. 



Spanish were scarcely so good as they had been ia former years, 

 although many good pens were exhibited. The winning pens we're all 

 good, and that which gained the cup changed hands shortly after the 

 Show opened. 



Dorldngs, as usual, formed the principal classes at this Show ; rarely 

 indeed has such a collection been brought together. The Silver-&rev 

 were in many cases heavier than the Coloured, indeed Aberdeen Shows 

 surpass in Siiver-Grey Dorkings. Some disappointment was caused 

 with the awards in this class ; many of the unnoticed pens should 

 have been in the prize list, our oldest and most experienced breeders 

 being left out in' the cold. I was particularly struck with pens 106 

 and 115 in the cockerel and pullet class being passed over without 

 even a notice. In Coloured Dorkings the Judge was more at home, 

 and seemed to prefer them, having given the cup for the best pen of 

 Dorkings to the first-prize cockerel and puUet. 



Cochin- Chinas seem to be falling back in the north; the birds 

 exhibited this year were far behind the specimens we were accustomed 

 to look upon at the former shows of this Club. The prize pens were 

 well placed. Some would have preferred the third-prize cock in the 

 place of the first, and I think they should have changed places. 



Bralma Footras were a large and good class, many of the birds 

 reminding me of the specimens exhibited in the days when Mr. Boyle 

 was so successful. I was not satisfied with the awards in this class 

 the Judge evidently preferrmg rough and large birds to those of better 

 shape and marking. The cup hens well deserved their place, and 

 were the best pair of hens exhibited in Aberdeen since Mr. Bovle 

 competed some six years ago. 



Buiulans were a fair class, and seem to make way a little. I cannot 

 say but I would have awarded the prizes differently. Pen No. 200 



ought surely to have been in the prize list. Perhaps the Judge thinks 

 the light-coloured variety inferior to the dark. 



Hamlurglis are falling back in the north. With the exception of 

 the prize pensnothiug deserves especial mention; the Golden-pencilled 

 were the best, and the cup bens the best in their class. 



Bantams. — Game mustered more strongly than ever, no less than 

 thirty Bantam cocks competing for the prizes ; the Judge must have 

 had much difliculty in deciding where all were so good. The cup in 

 this class was carried off by a remarkable bird. In the class for Any 

 variety of Bantams, with the exception of the winning pens there was 

 nothing calling for special notice. 



BucJcs, both Aylesbury and Kouen, were well represented, although 

 I have seen better specimens at former shows. I think the Committee 

 should offer a cup at their next show, which would doubtless bring a 

 better competition. 



Turlceijs and Geese were well represented ; although not numerous 

 there were some rare specimens exhibited. 



The Selling Class comprised many fine bu'ds, which, on the opening 

 of the Show, were speedily claimed. 



PIGEONS. 



The Pigeon section formed the best and most attractive portion of 

 the Show, such a collection never having been seen so far north, there 

 being 250 entries. It is to be regretted that the birds of Mr. Horner, 

 of Harewood, arrived too late for judging, from being detained on the 

 railway. They comprised some of the best birds exhibited, and would 

 have been sure to have been in the prize list. 



Foitters were exhibited in five classes for cocks and five for hens. 

 The Blues and Blacks were perfection, being all birds which had pre- 

 viously carried off' honours at the Crystal Palace and Edinburgh Shows. 

 The «up for the best Pouter was won by Mr. Ure's grand black cock. 

 The class for Keds or Yellows was one of the largest, and contained 

 many fine birds. I think this class was the worst judged in the Show, 

 the best Bed cock I have seen this season being placed only thii-d ; he 

 certainly ought to have been first, being good in shape and form, and 

 rich in colour. In "Whites the best cock in the Show was placed third, 

 and should have changed places with the first. Hens were better 

 judged. The Any-coloured class contained a mongrel-looking set, but 

 birds useful for stock purposes. Carriers were not a large show, but 

 some fine specimens particularly noteworthy were exhibited. Short- 

 faced Twnhlers were a poor class. The fancy for Tumblers does not 

 seem to prosper in the north. Barbs were a large and excellent class, 

 the winning pens being birds of great merit, and they will doubtless be 

 heard of again. Fanfails, which at this Show form always one of the 

 largest classes, were better than usual, the winning pens being almost 

 perfection. I regretted to notice one exhibitor showing two hens 

 (pen 4S7), which had to be separated during the Show. Jacobins were 

 one of the largest classes and contained many fine specimens ; here 

 again Mr. Horner's birds were the best, but, being late, could not take 

 their proper place. Trumpeters were a good class, the best pens in 

 the kingdom competing. I think the prizes were justly placed. Tnrhits 

 call for no special notice, the winning pens being small and handsome 

 birds. Oiols formed a large class, and there were some very fine spe- 

 cimens. I think the Whites belonging to Mr. Goddard, of Earlston, 

 should have been-first and have carried off the timepiece ; they were 

 the most admired in the Show. Kims were a good class, many of 

 them btiag shown without dressing. Had Mr. Symon done a little 

 tailoring to bis third-prize pair he would have doubtless taken a higher 

 place. Dragoons were a large and meritorious class, the winning birds 

 at Birmingham and the Crystal Palace competing for the place of 

 honour. Anticerps formed a large and attractive class. The Judge 

 did not seem quite at home here ; many would have preferred some of 

 the unnoticed pens to the winning birds. Pen 557, passed over without 

 a notice, being out of sight, was the best in the class. The Variety 

 class was large, and many rare and valuable specimens were exhibited, 

 the winning pen (Laced Fantails), and which also carried off the 

 timepiece, attracting much attention. The second-prize pen, a pair 

 of Damascenes imported from Constantinople, was also much admired. 

 The Selling class consisted of twenty-five entries, and birds worth 

 twice the price at which they were entered speedily found buyers. 



The Show was well patronised during the two days it remained open, 

 and I was glad to observe a larger number than usual of the pens 

 ticketed " Sold." The names of the Judges and the list of awards 

 were given last week. 



Silver Cups at the Ceystal Palace Cantakv Show. — The Lizard 

 and London Fancy cups are already subscribed for, and I should like 

 all intending subscribers to send at once, as the time is now so very 

 short. Cinnamons, I am afraid, this year will be left out in the cold; 

 nobody will give to this class. I hope to send the cups to the Palace 

 on Thursday the 9th inst. — Howakth Ashton, Polefidd Hall, Man. 

 Chester. 



The Light Beahma Cup at Poetsmouth. — I have much pleasure 

 in announcing that since my last letter appeared ia your columns I 

 have received some additional subscriptions towards the cup for Light 

 Brahmas, and that the amount promised or paid has reached six 

 guineas ; the ])rize will therefore be a valuable one, and I can only 

 express a hope that the competition will be close, and that the best 

 pen may win. The following ladies and gentlemen have been contri 

 butors — Mrs. Williamson, Mrs. Turner Turner, Miss Hales ; Messrs. 



