248 EXHIBITION. 



PEBPAEING FOE EXHIBITION. 



The season of poultry-shows begins in Sep- 

 tember. A little advice to those who are about 

 to make their dibut in poultry life may now be 

 acceptable from one who has " trod the boards," 

 and experienced the anxiety, and frequently dis- 

 appointment, which attend the footsteps of the 

 exhibitor. I cannot do better than relate my 

 own mode of procedure while preparing birds 

 for show. About the middle of July I select 

 from the free runs of pullets and cockerels a few 

 of the best of each kind of fowls, and shut them 

 up in the wired-in range of the poultry-yard, 

 where they are well fed and have regular ex- 

 ercise. Three weeks after, I choose and match 

 a cockerel and three pullets of each kind, return- 

 ing the rejected ones to their old homes, none the 

 worse for their change of abode and extra 

 feeding. The selected champions of the poultry- 

 yard are then made the objects of peculiar care 

 and attention. While at exercise they are 

 watched to prevent fighting, which is certain 

 destruction to the combs and toes of cocks. 



