122 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ August 8, 1872. 



The Rabbits were arranged in five classes, including the 

 Selling one. The first-prize pair of Lops, black and "white, were 

 fairly marked ; not quite in so good condition as we have seen, 

 yet worthy their position as regards the greater length of ears 

 and excellence of marking. The second-prize pair (fawn) were 

 fitting companions in position, and large well-formed specimens. 

 There were seven entries. Of Angoras there were three entries. 

 The first-prize pair were excellent as regards size, fineness of 

 wool, and general points of attraction. They were scrupulously 

 clean and white, and evidently owned by those who had some 

 regard for their appearance in public. The second-prize pair 

 were worthy the same remarks as regards their general appear- 

 ance and points of excellence ; they were not quite so large. Of 

 the Himalayan there were three entries. In this class there 

 was an excellent pair both in size, darkness of extremities, and 

 the general appearance. The second in position were also good, 

 lacking somewhat that excellence observable in the first-prize 

 pair. The highly commended pen displayed a little too much 

 of the grey shade in the feet. The Silver-Greys were rather too 

 dark and small. In the Selling class there were four entries. The 

 first in position, a pair of well-marked Dutch, were neat and nice- 

 sized ; the second probably a little larger, yet not quite so good, 

 but fair specimens. The ears of the longest-eared pair of Rabbits 

 in the Show were 22 by 4J inches, brick, and 20i by 4i doe, by 

 painless measurement. 



Judges. — Poultry : Mr. G. Sainsbnry, Devizes ; Pigeons : 

 Mr. "W. B. Tegetmeier, Finchley; Babbits: Mr. C. Rayson. 

 Didsbury. 



NORTON AND EAST DERBYSHIRE POULTRY 

 SHOW. 



This was held at Chesterfield on the 1st inst. The Dorkings, 

 Brahmas, and Game were very superior specimens. The cup 

 offered by Mrs. Arkwright for the best pen of fowls in the Show 

 was awarded to Dr. Holmes's Dark Brahmas. 



Dobkikgs.— 1. Mrs. F. S. Arkwright, Sutton Scarsdale. 2, W. Harvey, Shef 

 field, he, D. Britt, Duckmanton, Chesterfield. 



Spanish.— 1, J. Manseri. 2, W. Harvey, he, H. 'Wilkinson, Earby, Skipton; 

 Burch & Boulter. Sheffield. 



Game.— 1 and he, C. Chaloner, Whitwell, Chesterfield. 2, H. E. Martin, Seul- 

 thorpe, Fakenham. 



Cochin-China. — 1, W. Harvey. 2, S. R. Harris, Cusgarne. St. Day. 



Brahmas. — 1 and Cup for best pen of fowls. Dr. J. Holmes, Chesterfield. 

 2, W. Harvey, he, Dr. J. Holmes ; Mrs. F. S. Arkwright : B. B. Wood. Uttoxeter. 



Hambuhghs. — 1, Ashton & Booth. Mottram. 2. G. Holmes, Great Driffield. 



Polands— 1, W. Harvey. 2, W. Silvester. Sheffield. 



French.— 1, 2, and vhc. R. B. Wood, he, G. W. Hibbert, Godlev, Manchester ; 

 W. Dring. Faversham ; J. S. Booth. 



Game Bantams.— 1 and 2, W. F. Entwisle, Westfield, Bradford, he, W. 

 Harvey. 



Bantams (Anv other variety). — 1, R. H. Ashton (Black). 2, W. Harvey. 

 he, Mrs. F. S. Arkwright (White) ; Burch & Boulter (Gold-laced) ; J. Watts, King's 

 Heath, Birmineham. 



Any other Variety.— Chickens.— 1, Mrs. F. S. Arkwright (Dorkings). 2. Dr. 

 J. Holmes (Dark Brahmas). he, Dr. J. Holmes (Dark Brahmas) ;~Mrs. F. S. 

 Arkwright (Dark Brahmas); J. Earnshaw. Rotherham (Dark Brahma 1 ;); E. 

 Brown (Spanish); Burch & Boulter (Spanish); J. S. Rooth (Malav): Mrs. F. 

 W. Vemon, Suttonon-the-Hill. Old Birds.— 1, J. S. Rooth, Chesterfield. 2, R. 

 S. S. Woodgate. h', J. Heelev ; J. Watts. 



Docks.— 1, J. Shillito, Pitsmore, Sheffield. 2, Hon. Mrs. Vernon, he, Dr. J. 

 Holmes ; C. Chaloner. 



Geese— 1, T. P. Wood. Chesterfield. 2. C. R, Chamberlain, Alfreton. 



Turkeys.— 1, E. Kendrick, jnn., Lichfield. 



Selling Class.— 1. Burch & Boulter. 2. W. Harvey. 



Sweepstake for Game Cock.— 1, C. Chaloner. 2, G. Boot. Chesterfield. 



The Judge was the Rev. A. G. Brooke, Shrawardine Rectory, 

 near Shrewsbury. 



NEATH POULTRY SHOW. 



The third annual Show was held on the 1st inst. The arrange- 

 ments were very good, Billett's pens being placed under cover 

 along the sides of the field, and the birds well attended to. 



Dorkings were very good, but the Cochins much better, and a 

 pen of good Buffs won the cup against Brahmas. The winners 

 in both Dark and Light Brah mas may be pronounced good, but 

 out of feather. Game, Spanish, and Hamburghs were very 

 poor, but French fowls were better; Creve-Cosurs won both 

 prizes. 



Chickens of Any variety numbered twenty-five pens, and 

 many of the pens were excellent ; two first, two second, and two 

 third prizes were awarded. The two first prizes fell to the lot 

 of Light Brahmas, one second to Creve-Cceurs, the other to 

 Houdans, and the third prizes were won by Game and Dorkings. 



Ducks made a fair display, and the Geese, mostly Toulouse, 

 were very large and fine to feather. 



In Pigeons the birds most worthy of notice were the first-prize 

 Carriers and Pouters, Red Jacobins, and the pair of Ice Pigeons 

 in the Variety class. Tumblers were poor, but the Antwerps 

 were of fair quality ; both the winners in the latter class were 

 Red Chequers. 



Dorkings.— 1, J. Buckley, Penyfai, Llanelly. 2, J. M'Connell, Ewins Harold, 

 Hereford. 



Cochin-China.— Buff and Cinnamon.— 1 and Cup, H. Lloyd, jun.. Hands- 

 worth, Birmingham. 2, C. Bloodworth. Cheltenham, he. D. W. J. Thomas, 

 Brecon, c, T. Jones, Swansea Gaol; B. Jones. Any other Variety.— 1, H. 

 Lloyd, jun. 2, J. Dyer, Pencoed, Bridgend. 



Brahma Pootra. — Dark. — I, H. Feast, Swansea. 2, J. Buckley, iun., 

 Bryn-y-Caerau, Llanelly. e, T. H. Williams, Brecon; J. J. Evans, Brecon. 



Light— 1, J. Bloodwoith. Cheltenham. 2. T. A. Dean, Marden, Hereford, lie, 

 J. G. H. Morris. Bridgend, c, H. Feast, Swansea. 



Game.— 1, C. H. Miers, Crynant. 2, J. Owen, Hafod, Swansea, he, S. Bur- 

 ford, Swansea. 



Spanish— 1, H. Feast. 2. T. R. Mitchell. Swansea. 



Hamburghs.— Gold-pencilled or 8pa.ngled.~-l, C. Bloodworth. 2, J. Cockrell, 

 Cheltenham. Silver-pencilled and Spangled. — 1, J. CaiT, Hafod, Swansea. 2, 

 H. Feast, e, J. M'Connell. 



Polands.— 1, R. Jones. 2, J M'Connell. 



French Fowls.— 1, G W. Hibbert, Godley, Manchester. 2. H. Feast, c, W. 

 Harris, Penyfai, Bridgend. 



Game Bantams.— 1, R. Wilkinson, Bridgwater. 2, J. Carr. he, G. Palmer : 

 R. W. Thomas ; H. Feast. 



Cross-bred.— 2, H. Feast. 



Any Variety— 2, C Maggs, Melksham (Black Hamburgh). Chickens — 

 1 and Extra 1, T. A. Dean (Light Brahmas). 2, W. Harris, Penyfai. Bridgend 

 (Houdans). Extra 2, Mrs. Thompson, Bridsend (Creve-Cceurs). s, C. H.'.Miers, 

 Crynant (Black-breasted Red Game). Extra 3, H. K. Jordan (Coloured Dork- 

 ings), he, J. Carr; Mrs. A. Studdv, Haverfordwest (Light Brahmas); Mrs. 

 P. H. Rowland (Brahmas); J. Dyer (2); J. Sims (Light Brahmas) ; J. R. 

 Paramore, Preswylfa (Light Brahmas (2); H. K. Jordan (Coloured Dorkings). 

 Special Priae, T. Beynon (Gold-pencilled). 



Ducks.— Rouen— 1. 3. J. Evans. 2, J. T. Griffiths, c, G. J. May. Aylesbury. 

 — 1, Mrs. M. H. Knight, Bridgend. 2. J. Buckley, Penyfai, Llanelly. fie, Mrs. 

 A. Studdy, Ashdale, Haverfordwest; J. Buckley, jun., Bryn-y-Caerau, Llanelly. 

 c, J. F. Davies. Any other Variety.— 1 and 2, "W. Binns/Pudsey (Bahama and 

 Teal), c, H. Feast (Peruvian). 



Geese.— 1, T. Edwards, Brecon. 2, J. Buckley, Penyfai he, Mrs. Starbuck 

 (Toulouse) ; Mrs A. Studdy. 



Turkeys.— 1. J. Buckley. 2. H. Cnthbertson, Penrhiewtyn. he, Mrs. Row- 

 land, Glyn-Clydaeh. c, Mrs. A. Studdv. 



Selling Class.— 1, C. Bloodworth (Silver-spangled Poland). 2, J. Westren, 



Brintirion (Partridge Cochin). 3, J. M'Connell. he, J. Carr (Game Bantams) ; 



D. W. J. Thomas. Brecon (Buff Cochin) : C. Bloodworth (Buff Cochin). Ducks. 



—1 and 3, Miss M. H. Knight (AyleBbury). 2, J. Buckley, jun. (AyleBbnry). 



PIGEONS. 



Pouters.— 1 and 2, W. Crook, Swansea, he, H. G. Hollowav, jun., Stroud; 

 W. G. Bale. 



Carriers.— 1, H. Yardley, Birmingham. 2, P. Charles, Maesdyrhaf. Special 

 Prize, C. W. Prior. London, he, W. Crook 



Tumblers.— 1. H. Yardlev. 2, W. Crook. 



Jacobins— 1, H. P. P. Price, Castle Madoc. 2. H. Yardley. 3, W. Crook. 



Fantails. — 1, H. Yardley. 2 and he. W. Crook. 



Nuns.— 1, W. G. Davies. 2, W. Crook. 



Barbs— 1, W. Crook. 2. H. Yardley. 



Antwepps.—I, H. Yardley. 2, W. Crook, he, H. P. P. Price. 



Tumblers. — 1 and c, W. Crook. 2, P. Charles. 



Any other Variety. — 1, H. Yardlev. 2. J. Buckley (Archangels). 3, W. G. 

 Davies, Swansea (Yellow Turbits). he, W. Crook (Ural Ice, and Black Mottled, 

 Trumpeters). 



Canaries— 1, T. Mears. 2, Miss E. Llewellyn, Court Colman. Bridgend. 3> 

 J. Baylis. he, S. Daniel (2); T. Mears; W. Gwyn, Neath Abbey (2). c, D. 

 Rees, Tynycaean ; J. Granger. 



Judges. — Messrs. Hutton, Pudsey ; and Nicholas, Newport. 



THE PRESENT BEE SEASON. 



Following in the wake of " B. & W.," I shall, with your per- 

 mission, detail my experience of the present season. Although 

 only a novice in bee-keeping, I must confess to an absorbing in- 

 terest in the occupation, and. sometimes feel quite inclined to 

 plead guilty to the charge of " bees on the brain " that some of my 

 friends make. The letter of "B. & W." has shown to me that 

 although a novice I have been more fortunate than some of my 

 fellow apiarians, and it is the desire of contrasting my experi- 

 ence with that of your correspondents that has induced me to 

 address you upon the subject. 



I commenced bee-keeping in March, 1871, with one purchased 

 stock, and during the year by purchase and increase by swarm- 

 ing I raised my stock to thirteen hives, one of which was tenanted 

 by very good hybrid Ligurians. The season was so unfavourable 

 here for the gathering of honey that I had only two stocks heavy 

 enough to stand the winter ; but with a determination not to go 

 backward in my new pursuit, I laid in a stock of sugar and fed 

 my light hives liberally. I had the satisfaction of finding in 

 October that all my stocks were heavy enough to stand the 

 winter, but the study of my sugar bill was rather disheartening; 

 to my ideas of profit to be gained by apiculture. 



During the winter I carefully read up my subject from the 

 works of Taylor, Neighbour, Huish, and Thorley (not the cattle- 

 food man), and in the spring I was fortunate enough to add to- 

 my library Pettigrew and Langstroth. The latter I gave pre- 

 cedence over all others, and by following his teaching and the 

 advice of Mr. C. N. Abbott (always kindly and readily given), I 

 managed to bring through the disastrous spring the whole of my 

 thirteen hives. In June I became a subscriber to the American. 

 Dee Journal, and received my first number at the end of that 

 month. 



Two things I am firmly convinced of — First, that bar-frame 

 hives are the only ones that an advanced apiarian will suffer his 

 bees to occupy; and secondly, that they must be tenanted by 

 Ligurian bees to obtain the greatest results. 



On May 6th I transferred bees and comb from a straw skep to 

 my first bar-frame hive, and on the 28th of the same month I 

 successfully introduced an Italian queen into it. To-day (Aug. 3), 

 its nett weight is 70 lbs., although I have abstracted from it 

 seven or eight combs of brood to build up other hives. One of 

 the most successful results of such assistance is a cast from my 

 hybrids that was hived on June 14th, and to-day contains 61 lbs. 

 nett. The heaviest hive I have is one that I prevented from 

 swarming by the addition of a large under hive of an octagonal 

 shape. They weigh to-day 114 lbs. nett. I have two of the 

 sized hives that Mr. Abbott recommends in the English Me- 

 chanic, 17 by 12 inches, by 11 inches insidemeasure. The first I 



