The Doncaster Meeting, 
473 
well shown, and several pens of chickens possessed high merit. 
The Any Other Variety section produced very few entries, but 
their quality was first class. 
Bucks were fairly well represented. The distinctive cha- 
racteristics of the Ayleslmry and the Feliin were more con- 
spicuously illustrated than for some years past, and the salutary 
influence of the Waterfowl Club was visibly exemplified. The 
successful exhibitors at Doncaster include some of the most pro- 
minent breeders and improvers of these two varieties. Ii.oitens 
afforded signs of improvement in shape and quality, and the 
advance in size and in early maturity was specially noticeable 
in the young classes. The Any Other Variety section was dis- 
appointing alike in numbers and in quality. " There is certainly 
an encouraging opening for the improvement of that useful 
variety, the Cayuga, but we do not seem to have any pioneers 
of this species." 
Geese furnished but small classes. These birds are naturally 
early moulters, and it is possible that their rough condition in 
June leads to the withholding of birds from exhibition at this 
period. Breeders are, however, reminded that " geese are judged 
less by feather than by size, shape, and symmetry — a circumstance 
that should conduce to larger entries at summer shows." 
Turlieys made up a fairly representative display, the great 
improvement of late years in the Bronze Turkey being dis- 
tinctly noticeable. 
Table Poultry. — The Judge in this section (Mr. Edward ■ 
Brown) has furnished the following details : — 
Altboiigh there were two fewer classes provided this year than was the 
case at Plymouth, the entries show an increase of nine. This is entirely in 
the chicken classes, for there were two couples fewer of table ducks. And, 
further, the increase is found in the cross-bred sections, which were a 
failure twelve mouths ago, when they numbered only three entries for four 
classes, whereas at Doncaster there were 14 entries in two classes, and the 
crosses were fairly well varied. The number of pure breeds exhibited was 
3 couples both at Plymouth and Doncaster. The section attracted con- 
siderable attention, and proved to be of groat interest. 
In order to make the Table Poultry department of as great value as 
possible, it was arranged that all the selected fowls should be weighed both 
before and after being killed, and the statistics given below may be very 
helpful in noting the possibilities of early maturity. Prior to making these 
selections every fowl washandled, and those with badly bent breast-boiies 
were rejected, as well as others which indicated their unsuitability fur pie- 
sentation as table fowls. Some of the ducks were not as clean-plucl;ed as 
could have been wished, but they were at an unsuitable age, ha^•illg new 
feathers just shooting out. 
The following are my notes on the respective classes, together with the 
weights of exhibits alive and dead : — ^ 
' The live birds were weighed together ; dead separ itelj'. 
VOL. II. T. S. — 7 I ? 
I 
