322 Animal Husbandry 
depend on an accurate knowledge and a correct interpretation of 
the Standard. In fact, to be a good poultry judge, the following 
qualifications are essential: first, one must have an accurate knowl- 
edge of the correct shape of the various parts of a typical fowl of 
the breed; also of the various cuts that the Standard prescribes 
for defects, so that he can instantly place a valuation on them. 
Second, he must have exact information concerning the colors and 
shades demanded by the Standard for each section of each variety, 
so that without bringing fowls together for comparison, he may 
give to each section a proper cut for its defect incolor. Further, 
he must possess an intimate knowledge of the combinations of 
color that make up the strong points of parti-colored specimens. 
507. Comparative judging. — This is the older method and has 
some advantages over the score-card. In the first place, it is al- 
ways employed at the summer and fall-shows where fowls are ex- 
hibited before they recover from their annual molt. It is also 
used where chicks are immature in size, form, and feather. In 
either of these cases the score-card, accurately applied, would 
show such low scores that poultrymen could not be induced to 
exhibit their fowls. In the second place, it is possible to select a 
more uniform lot of prize-winning fowls, particularly where the 
number of entries is large. When the score-card is employed 
in judging large classes, awards are often made to fowls very dis- 
similar in style and type. 
In comparative judging the entries should be so arranged that all 
of the fowls of a class shall be adjacent to each other. First, pass 
along in front of the cages and note the poor exhibits, giving 
special attention to each. Then work over the best fowls until 
sure of the relative rank of each. In addition to a knowledge of 
the standard, this method calls for careful observation and much 
patience. 
508. Score-card judging. — In this method each fowl is care- 
fully scored according to the scale of points for the class. The 
awards are made on the basis of this score. This method is per- 
