282 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ October i, USA. 



Cocbiij-Chwa.— Prize, F. S. Dodd. Chickens.— Prize, F. S. Dodd. 



Hahburgh {Spangled). — Prize, J. James, Woodstock. Chickens. — Prize, 

 W. Heath, Kidling on. 



Hamburgh (Pencilled). — Prize. J. James. Chickens. — Prize, W. Heath. 



Game. — Chickens. — Prize, R. Pratt, Woodstock. 



Goslings (White). — Highly Commended, J. Prior, Woodstock. 



Geese (Grey;.— Prize, Duchess of Marlborough. Goslings. — Prize, 

 H. L. GaskelL 



Ducks 'Aylesbury). — Prize, Colenel Bowyer, Steeple Aston. Ducklings. 

 —Prize, Duchess of Marlborough. Highly Commended, Colonel bowyer. 



Ducks (Coloured). — Prize, C. Fowler, Biceeter. Ducklings. — Prize, 

 S. Druce, Eynsham. 



Turkeys (Black).— Prize, Duchess of Marlborough. Poults. — Prize, 

 E. L. Gaskell. 



Tuekeys (Grey). — Prize, Colonel Bowyer. Poulls. — Prize, Colonel 

 Bowyer. 



Judge, Mr. James Tim-ill, of Oxford. 



ELLESMEEE POULTEY EXHIBITION. 



This forms part of the Oswestry District Agricultural 

 Society's Exhibition, which it is wisely proposed shall be 

 held in a different town each year. This arrangement adds 

 very much to the interest of any similar meeting, as fresh 

 localities are thereby enlisted in the undertaking, and, con- 

 sequently, the novelty rather increases at each annual re- 

 petition than the contrary. 



The Show, which was held on September 29th, proved a 

 decided success ; so much so, that the attendance of visitors 

 must have shown an incredible increase ; and the quality 

 of the poultry present, equally with the number of pens 

 entered, bore evident marks of improvement likewise. On 

 referring to the catalogue we find entries from Knowsley, 

 Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool, Aylesbury, and even from 

 such a distance as Dublin. This shows as strongly as could 

 be that the public feeling is now interested in the success 

 of the undertaking, nor do we doubt that eventually this 

 Society will rank highly among our poultry shows. A little 

 confusion as to the numbers when compared respectively 

 with the pens and the printed catalogue was the only draw- 

 back to the proceedings, and we trust that in future years a 

 similar occurrence will be especially guarded against. 



The Game classes took foremost position, the Brown Beds 

 and Black Reds being very good ones ; but the Duckwings 

 were far from so satisfactory in plumage as could be desired. 

 The hackles of the cocks were mostly dark listed down the 

 centre of each feather, or what is perhaps equally objection- 

 able, mixed irregularly with black patches. We mention 

 this shortcoming in the hope of preventing a selection 

 by their owners in future years so fatal to prize-taking. 

 Some very good Grey Dorkings were shown, but some of this 

 variety were exhibited in very bad condition indeed. There 

 were several pens of good Cochins shown, particularly the 

 White ones from Mr. Zurhorst, of Donnybrook, Dublin; 

 the Partridge-coloured ones of Messrs. Tudman and Cart- 

 wright respectively; and the Buffs of Mr. Bates, of Bir- 

 mingham. There were also good Hamburghs, but Mr. John 

 JRobinson, of Vale House, Garstang, Liverpool, monopolised 

 all four prizes in these classes. All Bantams competed toge- 

 ther, and, most strangely, none but Game Bantams were 

 entered. Most of these wanted age to make them fit for 

 the show pen, though not a few bore traces of very careful 

 breeding. 



The Turkeys were excellent ; and the Geese were especially 

 objects of public interest, on account of then - immense 

 development of both bone and flesh. The Aylesbury Ducks 

 were better than the Rouens, and weighed well, Mrs. 

 Seamons's first-prize pen being 22-}- lbs. the three birds ; Miss 

 Shaw's, second-prize birds, were 21} lbs. ; and even the 

 highly commended pens were 20 lbs. and 21 lbs. respectively. 

 Erom these weights it may be presumed that they were of 

 unusually excellent character as a whole class. Among the 

 ' Extra poultry " were a pen of capital White Decoy or Call 

 Ducks. The weather throughout was as fine as possible, 

 so much so, that not a spot of rain fell to mar the happiness 

 of the day. Everything, therefore, passed off most plea- 

 santly, and the whole undertaking proved a decided success. 



Game (Black-breasted and other Reds).— First, T. Whittingham, Bather- 

 ton, Nantwich iBrown-breastea Red). Second, S. Joinson, Nantwich (Black- 

 breasted Brown). Highly Commended, T. Burgess, Burleydam, Whit- 

 church ; A. B. Djas. Madeley, Salop (Red) ; J Tomley, Whitemere (Black, 

 breasted) ; W. Garoon, The Green, Thornton-le-Moors, Chester (Black- 

 breasted). Commended, W. Drury, Harleston, Nantwich, Cheshire (Black 

 Red) ; P. H. Cooke, New Marlon (Brown-breasted) ; W. Gamon (Brown- 

 breasted Red). 



Game (Any other variety).— First, A. B. Dyas, Madeley, Salop. Second, 

 J. B. Chune, Severn Cottage, Coalbrookdale. Commended, Miss Sadler, 

 Heath Cottage, Whitchurch. 



Dorkings.— First and Second, Miss Davis, Toe Lache, Chester. Highly 

 Commended, E. Shaw, Plas Wilmot, Oswestry; E. Tudman, Ashgrofe, 

 Whitchurch ; W. Gamon, The Green. Thornton-le-Moors, Chester. 



Cochin-china.— First, E. Tudman, AshgroTe, Whitchurch (Brown or 

 Partridge). Second, P. Cartwright, Oswestry (Partridge). 



Cochin-China (Any other variety).— First, T. W. Zurhorst. Bellville, 

 Donnybrook, Dublin (White). Second, H. Bates, Harbome Heath Cottage, 

 Birmingham (Buff). 



Spanish.— Miss Davis, The Lache, Chester (Black). Second, E. Shaw, 

 Plas Wilmot, Oswestry (Black). 



Hamburghs (Pencilled).— First and Second, J. Robinson, Vale House, 

 Garstang, Liverpool. 



Hamburghs (Spangled).— First and Second, J. Robinson, Vale House, 

 Garstang, Liverpool. Commended, C. Cooke. Breadenheath, Whitchurch. 



Game and othek Bantams. — First, S. Owen, Ellesmere. Second, T. 

 Hassall, Whitchurch. Highly Commended, W. Gamnn, The Green. Thom- 

 ton-le-Moors, Chester. Commended, C. R. M. Owen, Erway, Ruabon ; 

 T. Burgess, Burleydam, Whitchurch. 



Tbrkzts.— first. Miss Davis. The Lache, Chester. Second, T. Burgess, 

 Burleydam, Whitchurch. Highly Commended, R. Topham, Elsou, Elles- 

 mere ; R. Lewis, Sycamore House, Hordley. 



Geese.— First, Mrs. Seamons, Hartwell, Aylesbury. Second, T. Burgess, 

 Burleydam, Whitchurch. 



Ducks (Rouen).— First, J. Holme, Knowsley, near Prescott. Second, 

 W. Gamon, Thornton-le-Moors. Highly Commended, J. Nelson, Heaton 

 Mersey, M-inchester. 



Ducks (Aylesbury). — First, Mrs. Seamons, Aylesbury. Second, Miss 

 E. Shaw, Oswestry. Highly Commended, Miss E. Shaw ; Mrs. Seamons. 

 Commended, B. W. Winn, Llanforda HalL 



Extra Poultrt.— Highly Commended, G. Williams, Oswestry (White 

 Call Ducks). 



Mr. Edward Hewitt, of Sparkbrook, Birmingham, officiated 

 as the Judge. 



MIDDLETON AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY'S 

 POULTEY SHOW. 



{From a Correspondent.) 



The sixth annual Exhibition of the Middleton Agricultural 

 Society took place on the 22nd ult. We published the prize 

 list last week. The entry of Poultry, Pigeons, and Rabbits 

 numbered 500, being about 100 pens in excess of last year. 

 About 20,000 visitors were present, i>5SS being received for 

 admission at the doors. 



The principal classes were for chickens, and this neigh- 

 bourhood being famed for Hamburghs, the competition was 

 in many cases very close. 



Red Game headed the list. Brown Beds were first and 

 second. The cockerel in Mr. Wood's first-prize pen was late 

 in feather, but a good chicken. Mr. Fletcher's second-prize 

 pen were in much better condition ; both cockerel and pul- 

 let were, however, rather defective in feet. In the single 

 cockerel class a good Black Red was first, and a Brown Red 

 second. In Game any other variety, a good pen of Piles 

 took precedence, capital Duckwings being second. In Single 

 Cockerels a white-legged Pile was first, and a Duckwing 

 second. A silver cup, given by a few amateurs, was offered 

 for a pair of Game pullets, and produced no less than forty- 

 one pens, containing many good pullets. The cup was 

 awarded to Mr. John Crosland, jun., for a splendid pair of 

 Black Reds. Mr. Wood was second with a good pair of light 

 Brown Beds, and Mr. Aykroyd third with an unusually good 

 pair of Duckwings. The competition between the three 

 pens placed was very severe indeed, the Judges had great 

 difficulty in arriving at a conclusion, the pens being so evenly 

 balanced in every point, Beds at length obtaining the pre- 

 ference. Several pens received commendations. Spanish 

 were unequally matched in the winning pens. The first- 

 prize pen contained a poor cockerel. For Single Cockerel a 

 very even good-faced bird took first. D,orldngs and Brahmas 

 formed good classes. In Cochins, Mr. Stretch was first with 

 Partridge, good in shape and feather, but not a match in 

 colour of legs ; Capt. Heaton was second with a very fine 

 pen of Buffs. For Single Cockerels excellent Buffs were 

 first and second; and for a Pair of Pullets Capt. Heaton 

 took first with good Buffs; Partridge were second. The 

 Hamburgh classes were well filled, most of the prize birds 

 being excellent, although we noticed some crooked in bone. 

 In Silver-spangled there was a fauing-off in good cockerels ; 

 Gold-spangled were better ; Blacks were capital. For Any 

 other variety, Black Polands were first, and Silvers second ; 

 while for Single Cockerels the positions were reversed. 

 Bantams made up good classes, any age being allowed. In 

 Game good Black Reds won for cock and two hens ; while 



