246 EXHIBITION. 



the spirit of emulation may lead us to wish for 

 success in the "exhibition-yard," and already 

 many poultry-shows, principally (and wisely at 

 this season) for chickens, are announced. It is 

 to be presumed that all the pullets and cockerels 

 have been living apart, and all consequently 

 growing more rapidly, and with greater perfec- 

 tion of plumage, than if kept together. The 

 separating system has been strongly advocated. 

 Premature laying stops the growth of the pullet; 

 and while it is useful to keep up a supply of 

 eggs, it can be done by devoting, say, the badly- 

 feathered, and otherwise deficient birds to this 

 purpose, and keeping your intended exhibition 

 birds in greater seclusion. The chicken runs 

 having been carefully weeded from time to time, 

 it becomes comparatively easy to select from 

 these a pair of pullets and cockerel to form a 

 matched pen. These must now be cooped to- 

 gether, and receive extra care and feeding. Pro- 

 vided you give them daily and abundant exercise, 

 you may feed highly ; in fact, it is the grand secret 

 of bringing up birds to the seemingly marvellous 

 weights now required in prize poultry. Give 



