September 13, 1861. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



223 



in some fresh locality, its novelty has never shown the most 

 distant symptom of nagging, for, on the contrary, its popu- 

 larity has invariably become more enlarged. 



We cannot resist digressing for an instant to give a 

 brief list of the present year's attractions. First, there was 

 a very extensive and exceedingly good agricultural show of 

 the usual character, with an extensive competition in butter, 

 cheese, &c. ; again, a floral and vegetable exhibition, and a 

 public dinner to which ladies were invited — a capital hint, 

 by-the-by, to all similar societies as regards assets ; a bal- 

 loon ascent by Mr. Jackson, the aeronaut of Derby, in his 

 new balloon the " British Queen ;" and lastly, though to 

 the female visitors not the least enjoyable, a ball in the 

 evening of very large proportions. To make certainty 

 doubly sure, excursion trains from various districts became 

 the subject of final arrangement, and all things promised a 

 bumper. No amount of foresight, however, can insure the 

 weather ; and we are grieved, as faithful reporters, to say it 

 was scarcely possible to conceive anything more unpropitious 

 than was the whole day — rain almost without any cessa- 

 tion. Train after train brought its numerous sight-seers ; 

 certain it was, the best "bib and tucker" were not left 

 recumbent in the wardrobes at home; and yet a fatality of 

 wet seemed the irresistible order of the day. We speak 

 positively : had the day proved as fine as the one following, 

 some extra hundreds of pounds admission money would 

 have been readily obtained. In fairness to all, we must say 

 the railway excursion trains were not well managed. The 

 companies had evidently concluded that the Birmingham 

 musical festival, Warwick races, and another event or two of 

 like character held simultaneously would so far contract 

 the numbers of applicants, that very small trains would 

 meet every exigence for transit to the Show. The result 

 was the reverse. Great numbers applied for tickets, and 

 seats could not be obtained ; consequently the carriages 

 were crammed, until everywhere the annoyance was com- 

 plained of. Most of the carriages were, in fact, adult 

 nurseries. 



Still, on getting to Ashby-de-la-Zouch, it was a matter of 

 pleasure to see the good humour of the ladies generally, on 

 the unexpected disarrangement of their toilette. The kind 

 host and hostess of "The Royal Hotel," at Ashby, did all 

 humanity could do to put all right again, and however the 

 annoyance might grate within, it is certain it found a very 

 meagre outflow in words. We again express, for the Com- 

 mittee's sake, our regret that fine weather did not give in- 

 orease to the assets, for they fully deserved it. The poultry 

 tent, as is customary on like occasions, was the great 

 feature of attraction to the Show, and the originators of this 

 meeting are evidently determined that this branch of its 

 popularity shall continue. One of its chief features is the 

 gift of a valuable silver cup to the best three pens of poultry 

 — any varieties at the exhibitor's .discretion — shown speci- 

 ally for this premium. This always induces the best of 

 competition, and this year has fully maintained the evident 

 inclination of the public to warmly support the views of its 

 projectors. To show at this time of year three perfect pens 

 from any one yard is a great difficulty, and so it now 

 proved, for the contest for this silver cup was very close 

 indeed, among about four of the many rivals. The best 

 varieties shown were the Black Spanish, Grey Dork- 

 ings, Cochins, Golden-spangled Hamburghs, Turkeys, 

 Geese, and Aylesbury Ducks. . The " other varieties," both 

 of fowls, and also of aquatic birds, were as much beyond 

 the average. 



The Pigeons were also as nice a collection as we have seen 

 for long past, and the Rabbits were, undoubtedly, as rich in 

 good specimens as any amateur could desire. 



The tent devoted to the Poultry, Pigeons, and Rabbits, 

 was airy, sufficiently large, and (not less usefully) well ven- 

 tilated, whilst every possible attention was given to all the 

 specimens confided to the manager's care. 



Three Best Pens op Poultry.— Silver Cup, H. Yardley, Market Hal), 

 Birmingham. Second, G. Bott, Sheeny Magna, Atherstone. Highly Com- 

 mended, W. T. Everard, Bardon Rill House, Leicester; J. Faulkner, 

 Bretby Farm, Burton-on-Trent ; Bight Hon. Viscountess Holmesdale, 

 Linton Park, Staplehurst, Kent. 



Spanish.— First, Et. Hon. Viscountess Holmesdale. Second, M. Brown, 

 Ab-Kettleby, Melton Mowbray (Black). Highly Commended, M. Brown 

 <Black) ; W. T. Everard. Commended, E. Morley, Sapcote, Hinckley. 



Dorkino (Coloured).— First, Right Hon. Viseotmtess Holmesdale. Se- 



cond, J. Faulkner. Highly Commended, Countess of Chesterfield, Bretby, 

 Bu: ton-on-Trent j W. T. Everard. Commended K. Trussell, Woulds, 

 Ashby-de-la-Zouch. 



Dorking (White).— First, J. Faulkner. Second, W. T. Everard. Com- 

 mended, T H. Ashton, New House, Kingsbury, Taraworth. 



Cochin-China.— First, Mrs. Wolferstan, Statfold Hall, Tamworth. Se- 

 cond, Right Hon. Viscountess Holmesdale. Highly Commended, M. 

 Brown (While). 



Game (White, Piles, and Light Colours).— First, H. Warner, The Elms, 

 Loughborough. Second G. Bott. Commended ,H. W. White, Museum 

 Square, Leicester. 



Game (Red, and other Dark Colours).— First, W. Chamberlain, Desford, 

 Leicester. Second, W. T. Everard! Highly Commended, H. Warner; 

 G. Bott. 



Hamburgh (Gold-spangled).— First, W. Dravcott, Humberstone, Lei- 

 cester. Second, H. E. Emberlin, Humberstone, Leicester. 



Hamburgh (Gold-pencilled).— First, T. H. Ashton. Second, W. Harrison, 

 Bagworth Park, Leicester. 



Hamburgh (Silver-spangled).— First and Second, T. H. Ashton. 



Hamburgh (Silver-pencilled).— First, Right Hon. Viscountess Holmes- 

 dale. Second withheld. 



For ant other Distinct Breed —First and Second, J. Merideth, Gren- 

 don, Atherstone (Silks and Audalusians). Highly Commended, W. Cham- 

 berlain (Ptarmigan). 



Pheasants (Silver).— First, W. Harrison. Second, no competition. 



Duck (White Aylesbury).— First, H. E. Emberlin. Second, M. Brown. 

 Highly Commended, H. E. Emberlin. Commended, H. Warner. 



Ducks (Any other variety).— First, C. B. Lowe, Sheepy Hall, Atherstone. 

 Second, Mrs. Wolferstan. Highly Commended, R. Trussell. Commended, 

 J. Choyce, Harris Bridge, Atherstone; W. Trussell, Ashby-de-la-Zouch; 

 J. Johnson. Braunstone, Leicester. 



Geese.— First, J. Faulkner. Second, Mrs. Wolferstan. Highly Com- 

 mended, Mrs. M. E. Worthington, Temple Farm. Hinckley. 



Turkeys.— First, — Coxon, Freeford, Lichtield. Second, J. Johnson. 

 Highly Commended, W. Harrison; 3. Johnson. Commended, Mrs. M. E. 

 Worthington. 



Guinea Fowls.— First, W. Green, Normanton, Ashby-de-la-Zouch. Se- 

 cond, J. Johnson. Highly Commended, J. Johnson. 



Bantams.— First, Right Hon. Viscountess Holmesdale. Second, H. E. 

 Emberlin. Highly Commended and Commended, H. Warner. 



Pigeons. — Powtcrs or Croppers. — First, H. Tardier. Second, H. E. 

 Emberlin. Carriers.— First and Second, H. Yardley. Tumblers.— First 

 and Second, H. Yardley. Highly Commended, W. Choyce, jun., Sibson, 

 Atherstone. Fantails.~ First, H. Yardley. Second, W. Draycott. Highly 

 Commended. W. Choyce, jun. Any other distinct variety. — First and 

 Second, H. Yardley ( Satinettes and Spots). Highly Commended, W. Dray- 

 cott fRed Turbits) ; W. Choyce, jun. (Swallows) ; H. E. Emberlin (Bruns- 

 wicks) ; J. Savidge (Archangels). 



Rabbits.— Heaviest Weight.— First, J. Thompson, Ashby-de-la-Zouch. 

 Second, G. Jones, Birmingham. Highly Commended, J. Thompson. Com- 

 mended, G. Jones ; W. Choyce, jun. Length of Ear.— First and Second, 

 J. Read, Coventry. Highly Commended, G. Jones. Commended, J. Thomp- 

 son ; H. Warner; J. N. Dixon, Leicester. Any other hind. — First, W. 

 Chamberlain. Second, G. Jones. Highly Commended, H. Warner ; G. 

 Jones; W. chamberlain ; J. N. Dixon. 



Mr. Edward Hewitt, of Eden Cottage, Sparkbrook, Bir- 

 mingham, was the sole Judge. 



BLACK GAME BANTAMS. 



The "Wiltshire Eectoe" wishes to know the pedigree 

 of Black Bantams. This is a question which I have often 

 asked and I could never obtain a satisfactory answer respect- 

 ing them ; but I can quite agree with his statement, that 

 they are more game than Game. 



Having kept Black Game Bantams about six years, I 

 know something of their habits, which resemble those of 

 wild fowl very much. Their habits are most interesting to 

 watch, and can only be known to those who have most care- 

 fully attended to them. 



I have four hens, a cock, and four chickens, which run 

 along with my other fowls, consisting of Duckwing and 

 Black Game, They agree remarkably well together, which 

 is owing to their being reared in the same yard. In the 

 spring the little hens will take themselves off for about a 

 month, and return with their little famihes, and only until 

 the hay grass is cut do I discover where they had got to. 

 They generally prefer the shade of a large dock in the 

 middle of the field. In intelligence there is no comparison 

 between these and the ordinary Black Bantam, they being 

 so very much more interesting. They are excellent winter 

 layers, good sitters, and good mothers; their eggs in rich- 

 ness and flavour surpass those of any other fowls, and are of 

 a dark cream colour. 



These, in my opinion, are as interesting, profitable, and 

 harmless little pets as can be kept. — J. R. 



Kendal Poultry Show. — We are informed by Mr. G. C. 

 Whitwell, that owing to leaving the neighbourhood he has 

 been obliged to resign the secretaryship. 



