October 13, 1870. ] 



JOURNAL OP HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



295 



One word as to pens. I was very pleased at the late Middle- 

 ton Show to see the large, roomy, well-lighted pens ; all quite 

 patterns except those in which the Fantails were loxed-up. 

 They were sadly too small. The poor inmates could scarcely 

 turn round, and as to spreading their tails, that was out of the 

 question. 



I think it is one of the first duties of a committee to see that 

 the birds entrusted to their care are made as comfortable in 

 their confinement as possible. I have a vivid recollection of 

 the Variety Daek class at the Hanley Show last winter. The 

 poor unfortunates were not penned at all. They were just Bet 

 out in a row on the floor of a desolate building, in the hampers 

 in which they had travelled, the lids being set open, and a bit 

 of wire netting fastened on instead. I remember particularly 

 a wretched little Mandarin drake, shut up in a tiny hamper in 

 which he could barely move. There he would be, say, one day 

 on his journey, two days at the Show, and another on bis 

 return. Fancy the condition of his beautiful fan feathers after 

 such an imprisonment ! Secretaries know beforehand exactly 

 the, number of entries, surely they ought to provide sufficient 

 and proper pens for all. — Shropshire Rector. 



BREEDING FOR POINTS. 



I eind nearly all fanciers admit it is a great deal easier to 

 breed fine fowls or other poultry lacking in one or two impor- 

 tant points, than to breed perfect birds. Hence, one would be 

 very glad to regard his Brahma cock which has fine white neck- 

 hackle as right, because he is so very large and fine ; another 

 does not object to ignoring the muff in Houdans ; another asks : 

 Are not Aylesburys just as good if their bills are not quite so 

 "pink as a lady's nail?" This will not do. We must not 

 neglect a poiDt because it is hard to breed. If we throw out a 

 point it must be because the best birds, as such, with great 

 uniformity do not possess it, or exhibit it in an unmarked 

 manner. 



Within certain bounds, m man can tell what limit to assign 

 to man's power to breed striking peculiarities in birds or 

 animals. Any careful breeder may, if he pleases, establish a 

 breed of fowls entirely distinct from any other known variety. 

 We have half a dozen breeds of some local fame now, but of 

 what use are they ? There is no need of multiplying varieties. 

 We should rather strive to reduce the number. For example : 

 The Leghorns are a useful breed, they fill a peculiar place, they 

 are not properly a fancier's breed like the Hamburghs, they lay 

 large eggs, are very tough and hardy, belong to the class of 

 non-sitters, though they not unfrequently sit and make good 

 mothers, yet why should we suffer Leghorns to carry such a 

 variety of points in which variation is allowable? We can find 

 in the same flock single and rose-combed birds ; white, pink, 

 and yellow legs ; white, bluish-white, cream-coloured, and red 

 earlobes. Why then should we not taboo pink and white legs 

 altogether ? If rose-combs ought to be retained, let the varieties 

 be kept distinct. Cream-coloured earlobes usually go with 

 yellow legs.— (Poultry Bulletin.) 



ANTWERP PIGEONS. 



I have read with much interest a paragraph in your last 

 number headed "Prizes for Antwerp Pigeons." For many 

 years I have been a Pigeon and fowl fancier, and in my time 

 have had Dragoons come from all distances, but always pre- 

 ferred Antwerps, considering that they were better breeders, and 

 quite as much, if not more, attached to their homes. 



I recollect, thirty years back, the late Sir John Sebright, 

 Bart., who had one of the best assortments of Pigeons, told me 

 he had had given to him two pairs of Antwerps, and after 

 keeping them confined for twelve months, when he had bred 

 sufficient young ones, he allowed them to fly. The old birds, 

 however, even after that lapse of time, returned to their first 

 home, but were sent back to Beechwood Park a few days after- 

 wards, where, I presume, they were incarcerated for a further 

 period, but, I hope, not with hard labour.— G. W. Burrow, 

 33, Richmond Road, Dalston, N. 



next ; and also it is stated, that by means of many additional 

 silver cups and considerably increased money prizes, it is in- 

 tended to give great inducements to exhibitors. Full particulars 

 will be issued in the course of a few days in the printed prize 

 schedules of the Society, and also by advertisements in the 

 public newspapers. Knowing the excellent arrangements of 

 the former Ipswich shows, and the special care taken of the 

 poultry sent for competition, we are glad to find the announce- 

 ment of a contemporary that this show was defunct is without 

 foundation, and hope all success may be ensured to the coming 

 show. 



LONG SUTTON POULTRY SHOW. 



Fob this armnally-increasing Poultry Show a shed entirely of wood, 

 100 yards in length by 20 yards in breadth, was erected. This arrange- 

 ment, combined with the Messrs. Turners' show pens, placed the Exhi- 

 bition held on the 5th and 6th inst. in a very favourable position for 

 public view. It is a matter of congratulation that so important an 

 increase has taken place in the competition at this local Show during 

 the few years it has been instituted. As Long Sutton is not one of 

 the easiest of places to transmit specimens to, this result may be 

 ascribed to the public confidence inspired by the careful attention 

 given by the managing Committee. The weather was very favourable, 

 and the attendance of visitors resulted in an unusual amount being 

 taken for admissions. 



The Cochins were extraordinarily good, more particularly the hens 

 and pullets ; Lady Gwyder, Mr. Lingwood, and Mr. Dutton showing 

 pens in first-class condition. The Grey Dorkings were not so good as 

 on previous occasions. Dark Brahmas were very strong and capital 

 classes. Never need a better display of Hamburghs be brought to- 

 gether, and certainly an improved prize schedule for theBe breeds is 

 deserved. Though so limited in numbers, very excellent Game fowls 

 were shown, the Brown Reds of Mr. Laming being the cup-winners. 

 The Black Red Game Bantams were not so perfect as at most previous 

 meetings, but the Brown Red and the Red Pile Bantams were decidedly 

 improved. Good Sebright and Peldn Bantams were shown in one 

 general class. 



Pigeons have rarely formed better classes at any exhibition in the 

 locality, the Barbs and Carriers especially. Almonds, Pouters, and 

 Toy Pigeons were well represented. Babbits were numerous and good. 



Mr. Hewitt judged the poultry, Mr. Tegetmeier the Pigeons, and 

 Mr. Hutton the Rabbits. 



The Ipswich Poultry Show.— We have just been favoured 

 by a letter from the Honorary Secretary of the Ipswich Show, 

 showing the intention on the part of the local committee to 

 hold the annual meeting on the 17th and 18th of November 



The Pigeons were the best collection we have ever seen since the 

 Crystal Palace Show. In old Carriers Mr. Fulton won the cup and 

 all the prizes, save one by Mr. Massey, who also showed an unnoticed 

 couple of Black hens, which we think deserved a better fate. In 

 young Carriers between twenty and thirty kinds competed — a sufficient 

 proof, if any were wanting, that prizes for young Pigeons as well as 

 old will before long be the rule and not the exception. The first prize 

 went to a Dun from Mr. Massey, the second to Mr. Holt for a good 

 Black. They were a very good lot, and gave the Jndge some trouble. 

 In Pouters Mr. Fulton again won all the prizes, save one by Mr. 

 Harvey. For Almonds the cup went to Mr. P. H. Jones, who had a 

 pair in good feather, but a wry-beaked hen ought to have kept them 

 out of the prize list, as there were other good birds, notably a pair 

 belonging to Mr. Stanley, not noticed, on account of being in the 

 moult, we presnme. In the class for Tumblers of any other variety 

 the prize went to Yellows. Jacobins were fair. Fantails were good 

 and plentiful, but in Owls the cup was won by the best pair we have 

 seen. Turbits were not out of the common. Of Barbs there were 

 some good birds, Captain Heaton winning both prizes, but closely 

 pressed by a very good pair of Blacks from a new exhibitor of this 

 breed, Mr. Ord. Of young Barbs there were also some very good 

 birds ; but several exhibitors sent two cocks instead of a pair, which, 

 we hear, as well as showing old for young, will be treated with a strong 

 arm at the Palace Show. The first prize went to Captain Heaton for 

 a very ancient-looking cock, the second to Mr. Walker, and the extra 

 second to Mr. Frank Smith for a couple that had evidently had their 

 lower beaks cut. For DragoonB the prizes went to Blues and Yellows ; 

 and in the class for Any other distinct variety there were good birds 

 of all sorts. 



In Rabbits, for the best Lop-eared, Mr. Easten won the cup with a 

 very good specimen. Mr. Hudson won in Silver-Greys, though we 

 preferred those shown by Mr. Royds. 



Dorkings— Cock.— 1, F. Parlett, Great Baddow. 2, B. Dawson, he, H. 

 Woods, Mansfield : Mrs. Seamone, Aylesbury; S. H. Stott, Rochdale, c, J. 

 White, Warlaby. Hens or Pullets. — 1, Hon. H. W. Fitzwilliam, Wentworth 

 Woodhouse. 2, O. E. Cresawell, Hanworth. he, H. Woods ; B. Dawson, Ley- 

 boume; G. Clarke, Long Sutton ; H. Savile, Rufford Abbey ; F. Parlett; Henry 

 Lingwood, Barking, Needham Market. 



Cochin-China. — Cock. - 1 and Cup, Lady Gwydyr, Stoke Park, Ipswicb. 

 2, Horace Lingwood. he, H. H. Bletsoe, Barnwell, Oundle ; Henrv Lingwood. 

 c. W. SaDday, Radcliffe-on-Trent : C. Sidgwick, Eyddlesden Hall, Keighley ; H. 

 H. Bletsoe. Hens or Pullets. — Cup, Henry Lingwood. 2, J. Dutton, Ipswich. 

 vhc, Lady Gwydyr. he, W. Sanday ; C. Sidgwick ; H, H. Bletsoe ; J. K. Fowler, 

 Aylesbury; Mrs. J. Clarke, Long Sut'on; J. Cattell; J. Sicbel; Horace Ling- 

 wood, Creeting, Needham Market ; J. Watts, King's Heath, Birmingham. 

 c, Mrs. A. Woodcock, Rearsby, Leicester. 



Brahmas.— Cotk. — 1, Horace Lingwood. 2, G. F. Wbitebonse. lie Dr. 

 Holmes, Whitecotes, Chesterfield. Hens or Pullets.— I, J. Sicbel, Lark Hill, 

 Timperley. 2, Lady Gwydyr. he, J. Watts ; G. F. Whitehouse, King's Heath, 



