596 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ December 29, 1881, 
Beyond these again were some other houses built upon a some¬ 
what similar plan to those of which we give illustrations, with this 
difference, however, that they were in pairs, and that the central 
part between each of the two houses was left as an open shed. We 
noticed here a wire running in front of the doors, which was rather 
suggestive to us of a thief alarm, and found upon inquiry to 
Mr. Tomlinson that our conjecture as to this was correct. This 
wire was in connection with an alarm gun placed near the house ; 
and while it s»ys something for the poultry-fancying proclivities of 
Birmingham, it does not say much for their honesty that Mr. Tom¬ 
linson finds it necessary to constantly employ a night watchman, 
watch dogs, and every other available means to secure the safety of 
his pets. 
So ended our round of this celebrated yard, which when taken 
with the arrangement distributing the breeding stock amongst 
cottagers to which we have already referred, made up as complete 
an establishment as a fancier could well desire. 
NOTES ON THE BELFAST SHOW. 
Belfast Show is the great event in the Irish fanciers’ year. It 
came off last week, and though in numbers hardly up to some former 
years, yet the quality was remarkably good. The Belfast Committee 
are enthusiasts in the matter, and the Hon. Secretary is more than 
equal to all the duties of his post. We never, however, were at a 
show where there was less public support in the way of visitors. 
The same few familiar faces were to be seen eagerly scanning the 
exhibits and criticising the awards, but that was all. Mr. Leno, 
assisted by Mr. Mulligan for the local classes, judged the poultry, 
and Mr. Fulton the Pigeons, and the awards were generally well 
received. _ 
We were struck with the number of English and Scotch names 
in the catalogue, and took the trouble to count up the exhibitors, 
exhibits, and prizes belonging to the Green Isle and this side the 
Channel respectively. Out of 132 exhibitors sixty-nine were Irish 
and sixty-three were not. The Irish exhibitors showed 604 pens— 
their visitors 251. Of 129 prizes and eleven cups offered for forty- 
three classes of poultry some forty-eight prizes and eight cups went 
across the water. Of 111 prizes and eleven cups for thirty-seven 
classes of Pigeons, some forty-three prizes and three cups again left 
the Green Isle. The Show may, therefore, be said to be as much 
an English and Scotch as an Irish one, and the honour of winning is 
about equal to that to be gained at a good English show. 
There is, however, another side to the question. Does not this 
large influx of English and Scotch exhibits deter a number of Irish 
fanciers from competing ? We incline to think it does. There is no 
doubt that in a general way the Irish fancier is not on an even foot¬ 
ing with his brother on this side the Channel. There are almost 
daily shows here during the season and large prizes are offered. A 
big price for a bird can be afforded when there are a few ten-guinea 
cups for him to win. The sixty-guinea Brahma, for example, has won 
back for his owner a considerable part of his price already. In 
Ireland, however, shows are like angels’ visits, few and far between, 
and high prices cannot be afforded for birds merely intended for 
home competition. A few Irish fanciers compete successfully in 
England, but they labour under great disadvantages as respects cost 
of carriage and through their birds being exposed to the risk of 
rough passages. The Belfast fanciers choose to admit all comers, 
and perhaps they are right; but there is, we think, something to be 
said in favour of limiting the competition to Ireland. 
Coloured Dorkings were few in numbers, but of really first-rate 
quality. Messrs. Smyth showed three hens that we have not seen 
surpassed anywhere this year. Silver-Greys were numerous but not 
up to the English, or perhaps we ought to say Scotch standard. 
Brahmas were, through the liberality of a fancier who has during the 
past two seasons guaranteed the prize money, provided with eight 
classes. The cup Hull bird (second Palace) here took the cup for 
Darks. All the prizes for hens and two of the three for pullets 
went to Mr. Comyns, while Mr. Erskine kept up to his good begin¬ 
ning last year by taking the three prizes for cockerels with birds 
which but for their being slightly tanned might have won anywhere. 
They were all bred, Mr. Erskine told us, from the winning cockerel 
of last year mated with the cup hen of last year purchased from Mr. 
Comyns. Lights were not so numerous nor quite so good as the 
Darks ; Messrs. Birch were as usual the chief winners. In pullets, 
however, they were beaten by a very large well-feathered bird of 
Mr. Ward’s, and two well-shaped heavily feathered birds shown by 
Mr. Comyns, who made his first essay with the Lights here. 
Cochins were not so liberally classified as Brahmas. Mr. Ward’s 
splendid pair of Whites were first in the old classes respectively, and 
the cock took the Cochin cup. Mr. Robertson and Mr. Pye each 
showed some good first-rate Buffs. In Buff chickens Mr. Kellsall 
was deservedly successful. The cup for Spanish went to Scotland to 
an old cock of Mr. 
prizes for hens. 
Street’s, and the same exhibitor also took all three 
Mr. J. A. Mather was most successful in the Game classes, the 
winners being birds which have also taken prizes in England recently. 
Mr. Pickles was to the front in the three Hamburgh classes, while 
the cup for the French, Polish, or “ Any other variety ” went to a 
fine pen of Houdans of Miss Carter’s. Mr. Ward stood first with 
Creves, and Mr. D. Sullivan in Polish. Messrs. Bradbury won easily 
in Plymouth Rocks and Leghorns respectively, the Poultry Club cup 
going to the latter. These classes were very poorly filled. 
The Bantam cup went to Mr. G. C'oulthard for Black Red Game, 
Mr. G. Anderton and Mr. Pickles winning in the other Game Bantam 
and other variety Bantam classes respectively. In the other variety 
class the first were Malays, second Minorca*, and third Sultans. Mr. 
Robertson took the Duck cup with a fine pen of Rouens ; he also 
won several other prizes in these sections, as also did Mr. Mullan and 
Messrs. Birch, the latter gentlemen as usual heading the list in 
Turkeys and Geese respectively. 
Pigeons were a wonderfully good show. Space will not permit of 
our going into details, but we must mention the Red Jacobins, which 
were wonderful classes. Mr. Fulton awarded two equal thirds and 
four equal fourths to the cocks, and three equal fourths to the 
hens, and said he could easily have awarded more prizes to birds 
which could win almost anywhere. 
Poultry Club Show. —We are pleased to hear that the entries 
of poultry for this Show number nearly 1300. Pigeons, Cage Birds, 
and Rabbits will also be numerously represented, and bring the 
total up to 2250. 
OUR LETTER BOX. 
Cayenne Pepper for Canaries (A. It is mixed with the food 
of the birds and given to them to deepen the colour of the plumage. An equal 
mixture of egg, biscuit, and pepper is prepared by many fanciers, and the birds 
eat it readily. 
Ox Cabbage Plants (Yokel ).—Although the seed was sown in the spring, 
the plants, if they are very small and weak, may be pricked out in February, if 
the weather is .favourable, thickly in newly prepared soil. After a few weeks’ 
growth those inclined to run to seed will be seen producing long stems, the 
remainder may then be planted in the field Plants thus raised and treated 
often produce the largest heads which can be grown. 
Earth Floors for Cow Stails (Idem ).—If made quite level with fine 
dry earth rammed down hard, and the footpath behind is raised 3 or 4 inches 
above the floor, all the urine will be absorbed instantly by the earth floor, and 
only the solid excrement will be required to be removed. Much less quantity 
of straw will be required for litter by this than by any other plan ; but the 
stalls should be narrow enough to prevent the animals from turning round; 
the dung will then fall only at the end of the stall, which will soil but little of 
the straw litter. As the urine is absorbed by the earth floor, and the ammonia 
fixed and deodorised, the air will be pure; when it becomes offensive the earth 
must be changed. 
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
CAMDEN SQUARE LONDON. 
Lat. 51° 32'40" N.; Long.O 0 8'0" W.; Altitude.lll feet. 
DATE. 
9 A.M. 
IN THE DAY. 
1881. 
Barome¬ 
ter at 32“ 
and Sea 
Level 
Hygrome¬ 
ter. 
Direction 
of Wind. 
O+f * 
.33-4-3 
ft— O 
o 
Shade Tem¬ 
perature. 
Radiation 
Temperature. 
a 
‘3 
December. 
Dry. 
Wet. 
Qj'-Jj'Z 
Max. 
Min. 
In 
sun. 
On 
grass. 
Sun. 18 
Inches. 
29.235 
deg. 
39.6 
deg. 
37.2 
N.W. 
deg. 
41.8 
deg. 
51.8 
deg. 
36.6 
deg 
69.9 
deg. 
34.1 
In. 
Mon. 19 
29.565 
36 6 
35.5 
W. 
40.6 
44.3 
34.4 
66.4 
28.6 
0.222 
Tues. 20 
28.937 
40.4 
37.7 
w. 
4U.3 
41.6 
36.1 
66.6 
31.3 
0.114 
Wed. 21 
29.591 
37.3 
35.2 
N.W. 
4-.4 
43.8 
36.6 
31.4 
Thurs. 22 
29.931 
32.0 
31.7 
N.F. 
39.3 
38.5 
28.8 
41.9 
22 1 
Friday 23 
30.404 
31.2 
30.7 
A .F. 
."■ / .7 
29.9 
38.0 
24 6 
Satur. 24 
30.521 
29.8 
29.4 
N.F. 
37.5 
39.0 
28.1 
43.1 
21.2 
— 
29.741 
35.3 
33.9 
397 
42 8 
32.9 
56.6 
27.6 
0.336 
REMARKS. 
18th.—Frost in morning ; bright cold day and windy. 
19th.—Fine bright morning ; rain in afternoon. 
20th.—Gale in early morning ; fine bright day with much wind ; fain in even¬ 
ing, gale at night. 
21st.—Fine and bright throughout. 
22nd.—Fog in morning; fine day. 
23rd.—Frost in morning ; fine bright day ; thick fog in evening. 
24th.—Fair, but thick all day. 
Temperature nearly the same as in the previous week, and rather below the 
average. Very low barometer on 20th, and gale of win 1.—G. J. Symons. 
/ 
