KIDD'8 OWN JOURNAL. 



39 



as to admit the head of only one at a time, — 

 thus preventing waste of corn. It is a 

 kind of elongated hopper, — the lid being 

 raised by means of hinges. The inventor is 

 Mr. Hard meat, of Queen's wharf, Lynn. 

 Both articles are made of iron, strongly 

 painted, and ought to be in general use. 

 A very pretty and ingenious design of a 

 " Model Farm," was also exhibited by this 

 gentleman. 



We hail the introduction of these poultry- 

 shows in London, with much cordiality ; and 

 believe they will do real good in every way. 

 They will create a new feeling in society, 

 and they will set certain folk on their mettle 

 to produce " something better than has been 

 yet seen." 



As the " list of prizes" has been published 

 in the newspapers, it would be quite de trqp 

 to reprint it here. 



ANNUAL SHOW OF PIGEONS— 



BY THE PHILO-PERISTERON SOCIETY. 



This society held their annual show at the 

 Freemasons' Tavern, on the eleventh of Jan- 

 uary. A more beautiful collection of fancy 

 pigeons never were — never could be, brought 

 together in one room. 



The exhibitors and proprietors (how 

 happy and animated they all looked !) seem 

 well aware of the importance, not only of 

 keeping their birds in fine order and fine 

 plumage, but of showmg them off to the best 

 advantage. Thus, we had them confined in 

 elegant and commodious cages of mahogany, 

 and placed upon separate tables in the large 

 room. Here they could strut and pace lei- 

 surely about, displaying at the same time 

 their elegant proportions and general excel- 

 lencies. From the days of our earliest 

 boyhood, pigeons were our delight, our most 

 favorite hobby. No birds are more affec- 

 tionate, — none better know who loves them 

 dearly, and cares for their happiness. This 

 " show" was therefore a treat indeed to us. 

 Since we first entered our teens, the race of 

 pigeons has wonderfully improved. Expe- 

 rience has led to the introduction of greater 

 varieties ; and their symmetrical propor- 

 tions are now more carefully studied. 



The breeds exhibited on this occasion, 

 embraced all kinds known to the fancy 

 generally ; and that, in great variety. We 

 were specially pleased with the Powters of 

 Mr. Butt, — majestic, well-bred birds, of rare 

 excellence ; the Carriers of Messrs. Esquilant, 

 Ball, and Parkinson ; the very choice col- 

 lection of pigeons from Saxony, and the Toys 

 of Mr. Wicking. Commend us too, most 

 highly, to those mottled, short-faced Almond 

 Tumblers (there were four pairs of these, we 

 believe), in the centre of the room. What 



lovely, dear, delightful little creatures I 

 Possessed of these, we should feel "too 

 happy !" They were shown, if we remember 

 rightly, by Messrs. Esquilant, Payne, and 

 Jones. 



Most delighted were we to behold so 

 many of our fair countrywomen here ; and to 

 see ladies in silks and satins enter so lovingly 

 into the spirit of the exhibition. Their 

 smiles were neither few nor constrained. 

 The "poetical feeling," on which we are 

 always harping, seemed, for the time being 

 at all events, to have taken possession of 

 their hearts. Let us hope we shall be more 

 " habitually natural" ere long ; and lay 

 aside the artificial as being prejudicial to 

 our true character. 



We trust the taste for fancy pigeons will 

 never be extinct. They are such beautiful, 

 interesting, and engaging little creatures, 

 that they really form one of the principal 

 enjoyments of a country life. Kept, too, as 

 this society keeps them, they awaken all 

 the pleasing associations of early life. We 

 entered the room with delight ; we quitted it 

 with regret. Aye, and the remembrance of 

 that room has afforded us many a happy 

 moment since. 



HINTS TO AMATEUR GARDENERS. 

 THE CALENDAE FOR FEBEUAEY. 



If either frost or snow should have pre- 

 vented the completion of what ought to have 

 been done in January, take advantage of the 

 earliest opportunity to make up for the delay. No 

 vacant ground should be left undug until this 

 time. Yet is that which produced the main 

 crop of Potatoes too often seen throughout the 

 winter, in the same weedy, rough state as left 

 when the crop was taken off ! This ought never 

 to be the case ; Should the season be too far 

 advanced to crop it with winter greens, dig or 

 ridge it immediately. A great deal more harm 

 will be clone than a short delay will occasion, if 

 the ground be trod or worked when in a wet 

 state. Short delays from bad weather are always 

 readily made up, by taking advantage of the 

 first favorable interval after. If pruning has 

 been deferred, it should be finished now. The 

 Grape-vine especially should not be delayed, if 

 it was not cut in the autumn. Also any trans- 

 planting. Next month is a most important one. 

 Every preparation therefore should be made be- 

 forehand. Creepers should not be delayed pru- 

 ning and training neatly. Drooping flowered 

 plants should be trained horizontally. Eoses 

 and others, upright ; at regular distances, and 

 spurred in. 



VEGETABLES. 



Beans. — A main Bowing may be made this 

 month of the Early Long-pod, in drills three 

 inches deep and two feet and a half apart ; but, as 

 with Peas, detached rows, a good distance from 

 each other, and cropped between, are the best. 



