The Illustrated Book of Poultry. 
i^8 
W 
At one time several important shows were conducted upon the system of “double numbering,” 
the number upon the label sent to the exhibitor being different from that actually upon the pen. 
The supposed advantage of this plan was the impossibility of the judge knowing the numbers 
of any favoured or ill-favoured exhibitor ; but it has long been recognised that the only real 
guarantee against spite or favouritism in judging must rest in the character of the judge himself, 
and such expedients are now abandoned. A more real and practical evil is hurry and carelessness 
in preparing the catalogue at many shows, often arising from the acceptance of entries long after 
the advertised date of closing. This may usually be suspected when there are many duplicate 
numbers, as no, iioa, iiob, and there can be no doubt that such practices are distinctly illegal, 
and that if it could be proved that a prize was won by an entry made after date, it could be 
recovered at law by the highest in rank of the legitimate entries. A much better and quite fair 
plan, now often used at large shows, is to have a date for closing ordinary entries, but to announce 
the acceptance of “ post-entries ” up to a later date for an extra fee. But this date also should 
allow fair time for catalogue purposes, and be adhered to as rigidly as the other. The unfortunate 
fact is that at present there are too many shows to be all adequately supported, and secretaries in 
most cases seem unable to exercise the Spartan virtue of refusing entries under any circumstances. 
Indeed, cases have been reported in the poultry papers of secretaries actually writing and soliciting 
entries from certain exhibitors after they are supposed to be closed, with the statement, as an 
inducement, that there were “ hardly any entries in the class,” and that their specimens were there- 
fore almost sure to win. 
A catalogue is easily and promptly prepared from such entry forms as described, if done in a 
proper manner and always kept up to date. The first entries received under every class should come 
first in the catalogue of that class, according to an understood rule in exhibition matters. The 
catalogue should therefore be commenced at once in blank with the heads and details of the classes 
filled in, and entered up as fast as entries are received. There will then be no press of work at all 
until the last day or two, when the post arrivals come thickly before closing ; and any arrear then is 
quickly made up a day or two after, if the rules are adhered to. This method also allows time to 
discover and write about any error that may be detected ; and further allows labels to be despatched 
a post or two after the last entries are received. It is but seldom business is conducted in this way ; 
but there is no question that it ought to be and easily might be, with actually less trouble to all 
concerned than the usual plan of leaving this work to nearly the last. One or two large shows 
adopt the arbitrary system of distributing the several entries from any large exhibitor amongst the 
class, which is preferred by some exhibitors, as being supposed to give them a “better chance.” It 
is more really useful to see the “ lot ” from one yard together ; but even such a system need not 
prevent the catalogue work being done, as several entries from one exhibitor may be written in at 
intervals down the blank page, or the whole catalogue may be written “ wide ” enough to leave 
1 room for such insertions at convenient intervals. 
The best form of show label is one eyeletted at both ends, by each of which it can be secured 
to the basket. One side bears the address to the show in plain printed characters, with blanks for 
the numbers and mode of conveyance ; the other is chiefly occupied by a blank direction for 
return, which is to be fully filled in by the exhibitor. The line of railway, or other conveyance by 
which return is to be effected, should have a special blank provided for it, to avoid mistakes and 
delay. The advantage of a label fastened at both ends is, that once fastened or reversed it will 
remain right for the journey; whereas a label only affixed at one end gives no certainty in which 
direction the birds are to go at a midway junction, unless by looking at the date, which railway 
porters will not always do. Many delays have been distinctly traced to this cause. 
