29, 1871. ] 



JOUENAL OF HOBTIOULTUBE AND COTTAGE GABDENEE. 



465 



Naues of Plants (If. P. (Jr.).— You have Bent seTenteen specimens, 

 and we cannot attend to so many. 



POULTRY, BEE, AND PIGEON CHRONICLE. 



HANTS AND BERKS AGEICULTURAL 

 SOCIETY'S POULTRY SHOW. 



We like the idea of change. We like locomotion. We like to tnrn 

 over fresh booka, or fresli pages. We think great benefit resulta from 

 it. It ia good for all — the society, managers, judges, and every 

 official. It ia good for exhibitors. There are few localities that have 

 not some speciality, and no man is a judge of the merit of his own till 

 he has been in contact with others. When we saw the large Show of 

 last week, we felt glad we had been allowed to assist at its growth and 

 development. It has sprung from the small plain chrysalis at Basing- 

 stoke, living only a few hours in the day, to the large Show we saw on 

 Wednesday and Thursday last at Portsmouth. The few cattle and 

 horses tethered in the open, have disappeared to make space for the 

 long, covered, and protected sheds. The scarce pens of sheep have 

 stretched their entries till they extend over acres. The horses may 

 be taken in troops. Steam engines seem to snort defiance at each 

 other ; the whirr of the wheels is heard in all directions. The Bath 

 and West of England treads on the heels of our respected Eoyal Agri- 

 cultural, and the Eoyal Counties (Hants and Berks), treads on the 

 heels of the Bath and West of England. True, we have to do only 

 with poultry, but we cannot help noticing the progress that is made in 

 all things. All sorts of things follow these meetings. Every requisite 

 for the farm, for the cottage ornee, for the dairy, for the kitchen, for 

 the garden, carriages that are miraclea for lightness and elegance, 

 churns that make the operation almost a luxury instead of a labour. 

 Such cunningly mixed food for all sorts of quadrupeds, and sold at 

 such low rates that the marvel is, that every man doea not keep at 

 least a cow and two horses. It puts us in mind of a continental fair 

 that lasts a fortnight, and attracts every description of trade. It did 

 so, because in one of the most frequented rows there was a ahop that 

 had nought to do with agriculture, more like fairinga or keepsakes, 

 or shall we say love-tokens, paper cases, travelling and work-bags, 

 marvels of leather-work in every way, and tempting things in metal, 

 we had almost called it jewellery. These stalls are attractive to 

 couples of a certain age. That particular certain age people rejoice 

 in and are prond of. The advent of such wares and merchants proves 

 the good that is done by these meetings. Thousands are brought, 

 hundreds learn, and all are amused. We must, however, now in good 

 sober truth deal with our subject, and Iraat of poultry. It is time, 

 and if we continue our remarks and reminiscences, we shall come in 

 contact with flower shows, military bands, George Il.'a state carriage, 

 an Arabian horse that made ns covet, &c. 



The Dorhnijs headed the list and showed good birds, but we are 

 compelled to repeat that which we often write. Spurs outside the legs 

 are disqualification. The prize birds were heavy and in good con- 

 dition. The commended pens were also meritorious. There is a 

 tendency to send the first prize for Cochins to Birmingham, and the 

 present was no exception. Miss Julia MUward's birds made it a diffi- 

 cult case. Many hens at this time of year lose from largely-developed 

 and, consequently, falling and crooked combs, when later in the year 

 after moulting and before Uying, they would be successful. Gaine 

 were good, and the competition was close between Black Keda and 

 Duckwings and Piles, if it were necessary to say which was best. We 

 believe these birds are being bred too leggy. Folands are well repre- 

 sented in Hampshire, and the prizes in their class were among the 

 beat-contested in the Show. If there had been more prizes, they 

 might have been awarded deservedly. It was hard to give Mr. 

 Edwards only a high commendation, but it was unavoidable. The 

 Golden and Silver were excellent. Spanish are not popular in this 

 county, and thjj year they formed no exception, only a second prize 

 was awarded. Hamburghs were " to the fore " in quality and num- 

 bers, but as we had occasion to observe during the winter and early- 

 spring shows, the Golden are going a-head of the Silver. In both 

 classes. Pencilled and Spangled, it was so. The Silver-spangled might 

 almost take exception to our report, but we must say ihat although 

 they were very meritorious (vide the prize list), yet the Golden were 

 still better. The Light Bialmas were an excellent exhibition. Many 

 of them were beautiful birds. The winners perform an exploit, and 

 may be proud of it. The Dark Brahmas (alaa I that it should be so), 

 were inferior to the Light, and vulture hocks hindered success where 

 it might otherwise have been easy. The next class is peculiar to 

 Hampshire. We cannot find one out of that county when it is com- 

 posed of Andalusiana. There was a good one here. We can speak 

 well of the Game Bantams, which were trnly smart. In the Any 

 other variety class it will give a good idea of the competition in 

 Silver Sebrighta if we append the namea of the successful. Eirst, 

 the Kev. G. F. Hodson ; second, Mrs. Pettat, Aahe Bectory. The 

 French fowls bear out the report of the English judges. The Creve- 

 Coeurs are the best, the Houdana second, and then the La Fleche. 

 The cock in the prize Creve-CoBur pen of the Eev. N. J. Eidley was 

 one of the best we ever saw. The Varieties are very much the same 

 everywhere. Malays, Black Hamburgha, and Silkies took the prizes. 



Strange to say, the Aylesbury Duchs were better than the Eouens. 

 The latter were not np to the mark. The Turkeys were as good as we 

 ever saw. We would especially name those belonging to the Eev. N. J. 

 Eidley, combining feather and weight in an eminent degree. 



There was a very pleasing show of Pigeons. Forming part of it 

 was a pair of the Bleeding Heart — a rare and curious bird. There 

 were also excellent EabUts, showing all the varieties in colour, shape, 

 or size. The weather was unfavourable, but on the only fine day up- 

 wards of 20,000 people visited the Show. No notice of this pleasant 

 meeting would be complete if it did not bear testimony to the hearty 

 co-operation and assistance of the Mayor and Corporation of Ports- 

 mouth. A town incurs a debt to those who represent it so worthily. 

 The same may be said of Mr. Downes and the Society itself. He has 

 worked earnestly, and is reaping his reward ; the Society owes its 

 success to him. 



DoBKiNGS.— 1, J. Smith, Shillinglee Park, Petworth. 2, Miss J. Milward, 

 Newton St. Loe. he, Miss Pneley, Fareham ; J. Smith. 



Cochins.— 1, H. Lloyd, Jan., Handaworth. 2. MisB J. Milward. 



Q^HLS-.—Black-hreasted and other Red^.~l, H. Gibson, Brockenhnrst. 2, W. 

 H. Stagg, Nethoravon. Any otiier Variety. ~l, S. Matthews, Sto^vmarket. 2, G. 

 Potts, Chartham. 



PoLiKDS.— 1, J. Hinton, Warminaler. 2, Mrs. Pettat, Ashe Rectory, he, T. P. 

 Edwards, Lyndhuret (2); lyirs. Pettat ; H. Pickles, jim., Earby, Skipton. 



Spanish.— 1, Withheld. 2, Kev. J. De L. Simmonda, Chilcomb Rectory, "Win- 

 chester. 



HAjaBUB.GnB.—Gold-pe7ieiUed.—J, F. PiitiH, jmi., NewiDOrt. 2, H. Pickles, jun. 

 Silver-pencilled. — I and 2, H. Pickles, jun. e. C. F. Wilson, Totton, Hants. 

 Goldrspani/Ud.—l, R. WUkinaon. Guildlord. 2, H. Piokles, jun. Silver-spanj;led. 

 —1 and he, H. Pickles, jun. 2, Miss E. Brown, Chardleich Green, Chard, c, Sirs. 

 Pottat (2). 



Brahma PooTHA.—Lip/ii.— 1, H. M. Maynard, Holmewood, Ryde. 2. Rev. N. 

 J. Ridley, Newbury, he, J. Pares, Postford, Guildford {3) ; J. Morton, Guildford. 

 Dark.~l, H. D. Dent, Glouceeter. 2, J. K. Fowler, Aylesbury. 



Andalusian.— 1, O. Nicholson, Landport. 2 and he, W. Wildey, Cosham, 

 c, W. Weatcott, Landport. 



Bantams.— Gantf.-l, C. J. Spary, Ventnor. 2, J. Smith, he, J. Pares ; A. 

 Crutteuden, Haywarda Heath, e, E. S. C. Gihaon, Kyde. Any other Variety. — 



1, G. F. Hodson, North Petherton, Bridgewater. 2, Mrs. Pettat. he, H. M. 

 Maynard. 



Fkench Fowls (Creve-Coaur, La Fleche, er Houdana). — 1 and S, Rev. N. J. 

 Ridley, Newbury. 2, Hills 4 Co., Brighton, he, J. K. Fowler. 



Any other Variett.— 1, J. Hinton. 2, C. Maggs, Melksham. 8, MiasE. J. 

 N. Hawker, Tunbridge W'ella. 



DvcKS.—Uouen.—l, G. Chase, TitchReld, Fareham. 2, W. B. Stubbs, Aires- 

 ford. Aylesbury. — 1, A. P. Marvin, Fareham. 2, J, K. Fowler. Any other 

 Variety. — 1, F. Pittia, jun., Newport. 



Geese.— 1, J. K. Fowler. 



ToBKEYS.- 1, Rev. N. J. Ridley. 2, T. Bailey, he. Miss J. Milward ; Mrs. J. 

 Mayhew, Great Baddow, Chelmsford. 



Pigeons — Carriers.— I, H. M. Maynard, Ryde. 2, H. Yardley, Birmingham. 

 Tumblers.— 1, J. Ford, London. 2, H. Yardley. he, W. H. Cooper, Farnborough. 

 Faniaih.—l, H. Yardley. 2, H. M. Maynard. he. Miss J. Milward. Trumpeters. 

 —1, A. P. Maurice, Eaeingatoke. 2, H. Yardley. Magpies.— 1, A. P. Maurice. 



2, H. Yardley. Any other Variety —1, H. Boyer, Bourne. 2, H. M. Maynard. 

 he, H. Yardley ; W. H. Cooper ; W. Fielder, Southsea. 



Rabbits.— Longest Ears.—l, H. Cawood, Thome. 2, G. Hill, Winchester- 

 Foreign.— 1 and he, J. F. Marsden, Whitley, Reading, 2, H. Cawood. Any 

 other Variety. — 1, H. Hollands, Southaea. 2, H. Simmons, Portsea. he, H. 

 Simmona ; T. Snook, Landport. c, J. F. Marsden (2). 



Extra Stock.— d, W. B. Boxall, Strathfleldaaye (Peacock) ; W. W. Curtis, jim,» 

 Portsmouth (Peacock). 



Judge. — Mr. John Baily, 113, Mount Street, Grosyenor Square, 

 London. 



SPALDING POULTRY SHOW. 



The poultry showed rather a decrease in the number of entries from 

 that of our previous exhibitions, but the 192 pens brought together 

 represented specimens of a high character of all onr cultivated birds. 

 It is to be regretted that so liberal a schedule fails to bring a largei" 

 competition. The fact ia indisputable that the best time of the year 

 for the showing of flowers and fowls is not one and the same. Those, 

 however, who visited this department on Thursday last may rest 

 assured that, although an autumn's competition would have brought a 

 much larger collection, they have seen the pick of some of the most 

 noted yards in the kingdom. 



Dorldngs and Game were good. The cup Brown Reds of Mr. Julian's 

 were shown in the condition usual with that gentleman. Cochins and 

 Brahmas were more numerous, and we think it must have puzzled the 

 Judge whether to award the cup to the well-developed Buffs of Mr. Lacy 

 or the grand pen of Whites of Mr. Sichel, which were shown in the 

 very pink of condition, their brilliant combs and wattles forming a 

 beautiful contrast with their perfectly clear and snowy white plumage^ 

 The Buffs were, however, the fortunate recipienta of the highest honour. 

 In Brahmas the namea of Pares, Crook, Eodbard, and Lacy are a suffi- 

 cient guarantee for the quality of the birds. Spanish and Hamhurghs 

 were few, but good. The Silver- apanglea of Mr. Beldon will be diffi- 

 cult to beat. 'The cock in this pen is eight years old, and wins another 

 cup in addition to his many victories. Bantams were first-rate, notably 

 the winning Game, the Pekin and the pretty little Whites of Mr. Bel- 

 don'a. It may be subject for remark that this purely agricultural 

 district could afford only one couple of dressed fowls in their class. 



The Pigeons were the grandest collection ever aeon in Spalding. 

 Carriers formed a show in themselves. Those shown by Messrs. Fulton,. 

 Horner, and Massey will hold their own in any contest. A very grand 

 young Dun cock the property of the latter was left out in the cold. 

 Though he failed to attract the Judgea' eye, he did not escape tha 

 scrutiny of some of the knowing ones, as £20 was refused for him 

 immediately on the opening of the Show. Mr. Fulton's Black cock was 

 the best of its colour, and well merited its position as first-prize. Pouters 

 were very fine, and the Almond and other Short-faced Tumblers were 



