JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
348 
[ October 13, 1881. 
black wiags, of the same hue as the ordinary breast colour of the 
breed. 
The schedule of the Birmingham Show differs but little from 
last year. Plymouth Bocks and Aseels have classes, and the 
class for Silkies is restored. The classification of Ducks is very 
good, eight distinct varieties having classes to themselves. Bir¬ 
mingham has always been the Turkey Show, and still offers four 
classes for Turkeys, while at the Crystal Palace there is but one. 
In the Pigeon schedule we see no alterations. It is a pity that 
the vexatious Rule XIV. is adhered to. “ Only one pen of poultry 
must be sent in each hamper, if otherwise packed they will be 
refused.” We know of an instance in which several pens sent all 
the way from Montrose were refused in accordance with this 
troublesome regulation. _ 
We are glad to see that the Turbit Club has at last really 
good Turbit classification at one Show—viz., Carlisle. It is a 
pity, however, that this should be at a show held on November 
9th and 10th, only two days before all exhibits have to be in the 
Crystal Palace. _ 
The schedule of the long-established Tredegar Show is pub¬ 
lished, drawn up much on the same lines as usual. The peculiar 
attraction of this Show is that the twelve extra prizes are given in 
addition to the liberal first prizes. 
Years ago a Society was formed called “The National Orni¬ 
thological Association.” Its aims were too large and too indefi¬ 
nite, and it collapsed in consequence. We understand that a 
small balance from the small funds it possessed has long been a 
burden to the quondam treasurer, and that it is now proposed to 
hand over this sum to the Poultry Club, as doing the work which 
the Ornithological Association ought to have done. Whether the 
Poultry Club will accept it is another question. 
We have often wondered why someone expert in the treatment 
of the diseases of birds did not set up a hospital for them. Mr. 
Jenkinson of Sheffield has started such an establishment for 
poultry and Pigeons ; if well managed it may prove a great boon 
to fanciers.—C. 
THE CRYSTAL PALACE POULTRY AND PIGEON 
SHOW. 
The issue of the schedule for the Crystal Palace Show is always 
looked forward to with interest. We have just received a copy, 
and make a few notes thereon. The classification is as usual ex¬ 
tended, and there are forty-eight cups offered for poultry and 
forty-two for Pigeons. Some of these are presented by exhibitors 
and some by the clubs representing the various breeds. Mr. 
Cresswell is responsible for the adult Silver Grey Dorking cup, 
Mr. Norris for the Dark Brahma cockerel cup, and Mr. Lucas for 
that for Light cockerels. The Langshans are this year wisely 
freed from the slight upon their pedigree implied in last year’s 
classification. They have now a class to themselves, while the 
Black Cochins are relegated to the “ Any other variety Cochin ” 
class, where they will have to compete with Whites and mayhap 
Cuckoos. Leghorns have distinct classes for the Browns and 
Whites ; Plymouth Rocks have separate classes for cock and 
hen, as also have Andalusians and Minorcas, which are rightly 
awarded distinct classes. We also note a class for Japanese 
Bantams, which, we trust, will be well filled. 
The classification of the Ducks is somewhat singular. Ayles- 
burys have only one class for drake and Duck ; Rouens have 
the sexes separated, while Pekins have four classes in all, the 
sexes being separated, and there being also two classes for birds 
of 1881. There are also separate classes for drake and Duck other 
than Pekin hatched in 1881. The whole arrangement is some¬ 
what complicated, and will, we fear, lead to mistakes in entering. 
The general heading is “ Ducks (any age), ” and under this heading 
are included the 1SS1 classes. The classes for table fowls are two, 
one for the absolutely heaviest pair, pure or cross-bred, the other 
for “ couple of cockerels or couple of pullets cross-bred,” to be 
judged for “fineness of quality, smallness of bone, absence of 
offal, and closeness of plumage.” As the breed of each parent 
has to be stated, we presume the class is intended for first crosses 
only. By the way, it is curious that all the shows which give 
classes of this sort for table poultry word the condition as to 
parentage in the somewhat odd form, “sex and breed of parents 
must be stated.” We suppose most exhibitors understand what is 
meant, but it might be more clearly expressed. 
The Pigeon classes are 131 as against 149 for poultry. Carriers 
and Dragoons have each a champion class for birds of any colour 
which have won more than two £1 prizes. Here again the 
arrangement is puzzling. The champion class 1G2 is for “ Carrier 
cock any colour,” while a small-print note in the next line informs 
us that “hens should be marked 162 a.” Would it not be much 
clearer to make the class for “ cock or hen (sex to be stated) ?” 
There are a good many other new classes, notably in the show 
Antwerp and Toy sections, but we have not space to refer to these 
in detail. In addition to the usual classes for Homing Antwerps 
there is one for birds which have competed in the races organised 
by the United Counties Flying Club. These must bear their iden¬ 
tifying club marks. They will form an interesting addition to the 
homing classes, and will afford outsiders a good opportunity of 
seeing what the actual workers are like. 
The names of the Judges are announced subject to additions to 
be made hereafter. We perceive with pleasure that the name of 
Mr. Lucas is included in the list. His experience as a breeder 
will doubtless enable him to make such awards as will satisfy the 
Light Brahma fanciers. Mr. G. Hall’s name is also new to the 
Palace. He is, we believe, to take Game Bantam classes, a task 
for which his practical knowledge should amply qualify him. 
The other poultry Judges announced are the same as last year ; 
while Captain Norman Hill and Messrs. Allsop, Charlton, Esqui- 
lant, Logan, Percival, and Tegetmeier are nominated for the 
Pigeon classes. 
Curious and impracticable suggestions as to judging are by no 
means uncommon, but that made by the correspondent of a con¬ 
temporary a week or two back carries off the palm so far. He 
wishes the Judge to affix a card to the pen of each prize bird, 
giving the reasons for his decisions and stating the points in 
which the winners are superior. There are many arguments 
which might be adduced against such a course as that suggested. 
One will suffice for our purpose, and that is the fact that no 
ordinary show would be long enough to enable a judge satis¬ 
factorily to carry out the suggestion. Imagine the labour which 
such a course would entail. Let the originator of the idea try it 
on a class or two. If judging by a numerical standard were 
introduced it might be practicable, but as things are it is a mere 
chimera. We do not suppose, by the way, that judging by a 
numerical standard would be acceptable in this country. We know 
that several leading fanciers declined at first to fill in the standard 
forms issued by the Poultry Club, on the ground that they did not 
approve of judging by a numerical standard. We believe, how¬ 
ever, that thare is no intention on the part of the Club to suggest 
the adoption of such a course. The standard being prepared is 
intended to be a guide as to the generally accepted views upon 
the points of the various breeds, and to be, to some extent, a 
check upon erroneous decisions, but not to be an arbitrary table 
of numerical values to be blindly followed in ail cases by the 
judges. In America the judges, we believe, frequently “figure 
up ” the birds after they have come to a decision as to the 
awards, as a check upon their general judgment. This is the 
furthest point to which the use of a numerical table of defects 
or merits can safely be extended, and it may be well that it 
should be generally known that the Poultry Club do not contem¬ 
plate any more exact application of the standard by the Judges. 
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
CAMDEN SQUARE LONDON. 
Lat. 51° 32'40" N.; Long. 0° 8'0" W.; Altitude.lll feet. 
JDATE. 
9 A.M. 
IN THE DAY. 
Rain. 
1881. 
October. 
I Barome- 
! ter at 32° 
| and Sea 
I Level 
Hygrome¬ 
ter. 
Direction 
of Wind. 
Temp, of 
Soil at 
1 foot. 
Shade Tem¬ 
perature. 
Radiation 
Temperature. 
Dry. 
Wet. 
Max. 
Min. 
In 
sun. 
On 
grass. 
Inches. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
In. 
Sun. 
o 
30.173 
53.2 
49.7 
N.E. 
52.6 
61.6 
41.2 
105.2 
36.2 
— 
Mon. 
3 
30.161 
53.3 
49.9 
N.E. 
52.1 
60.6 
42.7 
112.4 
36.3 
— 
Tues. 
4 
30.21.5 
51.5 
47.4 
N.E. 
51.6 
56 3 
43.5 
108.6 
36.4 
_ 
Wed. 
5 
30.162 
4(3.0 
43.6 
N.W. 
50.7 
49.6 
37.0 
85.8 
30 9 
_ 
Thurs. 
6 
30.248 
46.7 
45.4 
N.W. 
49.4 
55.4 
34.6 
70.1 
28.3 
0.015 
Friday 
7 
30.487 
50.3 
46.7 
N.N.E. 
49.7 
54.8 
45.6 
95.8 
41.5 
0X62 
Satur. 
8 
30.091 
47.4 
47.1 
N.W. 
50.1 
48.8 
45.3 
63.2 
40.6 
0.425 
30.220 
49.8.: 
47.1 
50.9 
55.3 
41.4 
91.6 
35.7 
0.802 
REMARKS. 
2nd.—Pine and bright all day, with cold east wind. 
3rd.—Fine and bright; very cold wind. 
4th.—Fine and bright; cold wind. 
5th.—Fine, overcast at times ; misty evening. First frost on grass in morning. 
6th.—Slight rain in morning ; fine afternoon ; moonlight evening. 
7th.—Very fine bright morning, latter part of day cloudy. 
8th.—Foggy dark morning, rain from 2 to 9 a.m. and from 0 to 8 P.M. 
Considerably colder than any week since the spring. The mean maximum in 
shade is nearly 10° below the previous week, and grass frost occurred on two 
nights.—G. J. Symons. 
