56 A POULTRY COMPENDIUM. 



colored birds, a pure white. The birds show off better 

 against such a back-ground. 



In preparing your fowls for transportation cover the 

 coops with coarse bagging or thick cotton canvas, on 

 four sides. If they must be several days en route a sheet 

 of coarse paper tacked on four sides of the coop may 

 prevent frozen combs or wattles, leaving space for air. 



Our poultry exhibitions ought to be reformed in some 

 particulars. 



First. The judge ought to have no means of know- 

 ing the ownership of fowls ; and any exhibitor, who, by 

 means of cards tacked upon the coop or by giving notice 

 personally or by some agent, discloses the ownership of 

 his or any other person's fowls, on exhibition, ought to 

 be disqualified from competing at this show and for some 

 definite length of time, say one or two years. 



Second. Fowls ought to be scored individually and 

 prizes awarded to the best individuals, not to the best 

 combination. "Every tub should stand on its own bot- 

 tom. " A 9S point cockerel ought not to be spoiled by 

 an 80 point pullet ; nor a 97 point pullet by an 85 point 

 cockerel. 



Third. Prizes for breeding pens should be given to 

 those pens mated to obtain the best results, not, as they 

 now are, to the pens which have the highest aggregate 

 score. Such pens might be denominated exhibition pens, 

 but to call them breeding pens is a misnomer. 



After the exhibition is over, have your fowls shi d 

 home, taking every precaution against colds. Give them 

 as comfortable quarters as possible, giving them light and 

 non-fattening food. You are anxious not only to get 



