175 
Pa yment of J ud ges. 
“ f rhe, ' e h ° We ^ r ’ ° ne ° ther feature 1 Pass silently, viz., the betting practices of 
some few would-be-called amateurs (which decidedly they cannot be) as to the deiions. When 
,t ,s known that eight and a half guineas have been given simply for the loan of a pen to win a 
five guinea cup and other cases have occurred where thirty-five pounds have been lost and won 
by bets on a single award ; it is not difficult to conjecture what these contingencies may give rise 
to, to secure the attainment of a “win;" or what compromise of all that is honourable, straight- 
forward, and just may be wilfully accepted for the sake of obtaining such undeserved pecuniary 
success. 
General experience since this was written has been in favour of open judging, and so far proved 
Mr. Hewitt wrong. . A Poultry Club has also been established, which has made a sincere endeavour 
to put down trimming by a clause disqualitying for a given period all convicted of trimming from 
exhibiting at any shows held under Poultry Club rules. Undue hesitation in some cases, and 
undue severity in one 01 two otheis, have, however, prevented this body from having the influence 
desiiable ; and experience has, moreover, proved that this kind of penalty has, in itself, far less 
effect than stern retribution meted out in full publicity at the show where the wrong has been 
done. Something has been accomplished, however, though by no means all that could be desired. 
We would only add one more remark, relating to the payment of judges. One or two of the best 
in England act without fee or reward, and have long done so ; but the principle is not a sound 
one. Able service in this department, as in others, deserves remuneration without being open to 
any suspicion of being mercenary. Expense may perhaps be made an objection ; but in regard to this 
point, as with respect to the reprcnensible practice of holding shows in open fields without any 
protection whatever for the fowls, it is a fair question to ask, if support enough cannot be obtained 
to carry out such matters properly, whether any show should be held at all ? The multitude of 
petty shows in England has long been a serious evil ; and if several of these little starvelings were 
by the pressure of such considerations amalgamated into one, well supported and under better 
management, all parties would be benefited thereby 
