POULTRY EXHIBITIONS 541 



exhibit, advising them in regard to selection and preparation of 

 exhibits, etc. The motives which induce men (and occasionally 

 women) to do this are various. Some do it out of interest in the 

 development of poultry culture, some for such prominence as it 

 may give them, some because they like such work. As the work 

 is out of all proportion to the rewards, the poultrymen benefited 

 usually accept the service without question as to the motives. Those 

 who, without previous experience, undertake to make a poultry show 

 should understand that if they go into it they must give it a great 

 deal of time and thought, especially during the first few years. 

 Some one (usually the secretary) supervises everything and person- 

 ally sees that details are looked after, though some of the work may 

 be done by others. One of the most important points in the manage- 

 ment of any show, large or small, is that it shall have a single head. 



General quality of exhibits. In localities where no shows have 

 been held the quality of exhibits is usually rather poor. The breeders 

 of pure-bred stock in such places have, as a rule, very imperfect 

 ideas of what constitutes quality in their stock. Those who feel 

 most sure of their knowledge of requirements, if they have not 

 exhibited elsewhere, are often most rudely undeceived when their 

 birds are judged. The greater number of poultry keepers who might 

 exhibit, however, are reluctant to do so, feeling that their stock is 

 not good enough. The most effective appeal that can be made to 

 such persons to exhibit is the educational appeal, — the invitation 

 to bring their stock to be passed upon by an expert, and to learn 

 just how good it is and what they must do to make it better accord- 

 ing to existing standards. Provided there is not too great disparity 

 of quality in competing exhibits, so that the owners of the poorer 

 stock are entirely out of the running, just as much enthusiasm and 

 interest may be developed in a competition with ordinary good 

 birds as in classes of greatly superior quality, because the com- 

 petitots generally are in the same (novice) class. 



Judges. Judges for initial small shows should be men of con- 

 siderable experience and good reputation. It is a mistake to take 

 an unknown and inexperienced judge, for the services of a judge are 

 chiefly valuable to exhibitors as a means of instruction, and that judge 

 is worth most who has the widest experience and can discuss and 

 practically demonstrate each variety as he judges it. In shows so 



