EXHIBITION. 245 



Those who are looking forward to summer 

 (chicken) exhibitions, should, by the middle of 

 May, be selecting matched (as far as possible at 

 this early stage) birds, and putting them together 

 in free runs. Many, when the time comes, will 

 fall short of the necessary qualifications — for it 

 is not easy to rear prize-fowls — but though not 

 fit for an exhibition-pen, the rejected ones may 

 be very good as single birds to sell or breed 

 from. The extra feeding and exclusive attention 

 they have received will also be well bestowed 

 upon them if they are destined to grace the 

 boards, and cause them to be appreciated by the 

 good housewife when they make their appear- 

 ance, " beautiful in death," on the dinner-table. 

 It is often a matter of congratulation, that out 

 of a flock of early chickens, ducks, geese, or tur- 

 keys, some may be given over without a murmur 

 or sigh of regret to the tender care of the cordon 

 bleu of the kitchen. 



If all has gone well with our early hatchings, 



