FEB 21 
l52 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
THE POULTRY SHOW. 
(BUBAL SPECIAL REPORT ) 
There were 2,579 entries with over 4,000 
fowls in the great poultry show held last 
week in this city in Madison Square Gar¬ 
den. In point of numbers, attendance and 
interest, the show must be considered a 
success. It paid expenses and a little over- 
something a poultry show has not done in 
New York city for a good while. It is very 
evident that the only way to make a stock 
show pav here is to cater to the tastes of the 
fashionable people who can afford to keep 
stock for pleasure as well as for profit. We 
do not mean to say that any of the practical 
features of the show were weakened, but 
care was taken to interest the “ 400 ” as 
well. 
The Poultbt.— About every conceivable 
breed was shown. There was an astonish¬ 
ing display of Brahmas and Cochins. In¬ 
stead of stepping aside for the newer breeds, 
these standard old birds seem to grow 
stronger in popular appreciation with each 
year. The Buff Cochin is having a boom 
among fanciers. The managers of the 
show knew the popularity of this breed 
when they put an excellent colored likeness 
of a Buff Cochin on their large show-bills. 
The fancy poultry keepers find great 
pleasure in breeding for the delicate colors 
and pencilings of the Cochin feathers. 
Brahmas have been bred to enormous size, 
the prize-winning cock beiug fully as large 
as a turkey. We can see little reason for 
the breeding of White and Black Cochins. 
The Langshan is superior to the Black 
CocbiD, while the Whites have little to 
commend them—we prefer the Buffs. 
White, Blue aDd Black Langshans were 
shown. The Black is the standard bird 
with the good points of the others and the 
best color. The Langshan is well liked for 
its excellent record as a winter layer. We 
have never felt that it received proper 
credit. Plymouth Rocks, White and 
Barred, made a great showing, while a few 
pens of the old American Dominiques were 
not forgotten. The Plymouth Rocks have 
lost their “boom,” but they are still 
popular in some sections, though, as a 
whole, the Wyandottes seem to be getting 
ahead of them. The Black and Golden 
Wyandottes were well shown, while, of 
course, the Silvers and Whites wele out in 
full force. 
Several Golden Wyandottes'were offered 
at $50 each, while the highest price claimed 
for the Blacks was $20. If the Golden Wy¬ 
andottes are equal to their Silver sisters 
in size, hardiness, flesh and egg production, 
it would seem as though they are bound to 
take first place when they are numerous 
enough to be as cheap as the Silvers, as 
their plumage is more showy and bright. 
There were 138 entries of Leghorns of all 
combs and colors—White, Black, Brown, 
Dominique, Spangled and Mottled. The 
S. C. Browns made the largest muster; but 
the S. C. Whites attracted most attention. 
There were 102 entries of single combed 
birds and 36 rose combs. The breeders 
of S. C. birds loudly insist that “the larger 
the comb the larger the egg yield.” One 
thing is sure : a big comb is a sure target 
for Jack Frost, and it will freeze up any 
egg record unless it is kept away from the 
cold. 
There was a good deal of discussion about 
the practicability of breeding for an egg 
t yp e _that is, of selecting peculiarly shaped 
hens for layers. Would you pick, out the 
hen that scores the highest according to 
the “ standard ” as r he best layer ? Within 
a few weeks The R. N.-Y. will give the 
views of some of the best breeders in the 
country on this point. The Indian Games 
attracted a great deal of attention. What 
is this breed good for ? Why should $600 
be asked fra single cock ? They are said 
to be fine layers—but will they give more 
eggs to the bushel of wheat than Leghorns ? 
Their flesh is said to be excellent, but in 
what way is it superior to the Dorking t 
For our part, we can see nothing in the ap¬ 
pearance of these birds to justify the 
“boom” which the breeders are seeking to 
create. We should say: Go slow with Indian 
Games unless you have money to experi¬ 
ment with and don't much care if your ex¬ 
pectations are blighted. 
Other breeds exhibited are Black Javas, 
Jersey Blues, Black Spanish, Blue Andalu¬ 
sians, Black and White Minorcas, Golden, 
Silver, White Crested Black, Buff, Laced 
and Bearded Polish, Golden, Silver, Black 
and White Hamburg, Silver Grey, Colored 
and White Dorkings, Red Caps, Crfeve- 
coe urs, Houdans, La Filches, Games of every 
conceivable color, Phoenix, Frizzled, Ermi- 
nette, Silkies, Beau Mondes and Bantams, 
as well as ducks, geese and ostriches. Every 
one of the breeds had ardent and capbable 
advocates,and it is no doubt true that each 
is “the best” for some location and condi¬ 
tion. The great study in poultry keeping 
is to match your birds to your farm. 
An Egg Display.— A very attractive ex¬ 
hibit was made by L H. Myers. He showed 
specimen eggs of the different breeds and, 
on the same table, eggs from different 
crosses of poultry. The darkest eggs were 
from Buff Cochins; those of Light 
Brahmas are a trifle lighter, with Dark 
Brahma eggs almost like the Cochin. 
The White Leghorn eggs were as white as 
snow. There was little if any difference 
between the eggs from Barred or White Ply¬ 
mouth Rocks and a cross of the two gave 
no apparent change in egg color. The same 
was true o f Wyandottes. A cross of Whtte 
Leghorn and Light Brahma gave a large 
egg almost chocolate in color—not a good 
market egg, we should say. A Buff Cochin 
and Light Brahma cross gave an egg al¬ 
most like the pure Cochin in color, but 
more like the Light Brahma in shape and 
size. A White Leghorn and White Ply¬ 
mouth Rock cross gave a muddy-colored 
egg not prepossessing in appearance. 1 he 
White Leghorn cross could be picked out in 
every case by the light color it gave the 
eegs From many of these crosses the color 
was bad and would hurt the sale of the 
eggs. People like pure white or brown— 
an intermediate, undetermined color is 
against the eggs. Poultry rq#n who prac¬ 
tice cross-breeding should pay attention to 
to this matter. Violent crosses—that is, 
a white egg breed on one that lays dark 
eggs—seems to give a bad color while it 
may increase the egg yield. 
Classes were made for “ 12 Best White 
Eggs,” “12 Best Brown Eggs,” and “ 12 
Heaviest Hens’ Eggs, Any Color.” Span¬ 
ish, Houdans, White Leghorns and Minor¬ 
cas competed for the first with victory for 
the Leghorns. In the second Dark Brahmas 
beat Plymouth Rocks and Light Brahmas. 
In the third Light Brahmas won. 
The poultry business seems to be in ex¬ 
cellent shape, to judge from this show. 
Breeders all report good sales and increased 
interest. The sales were larger than at any 
previous exhibition. There is every indi¬ 
cation that the coming season’s business 
will be heavier than ever for good birds 
and in eggs from reputable breeders. The 
various poultry clubs held lively meetings 
—notably the Indian Game Club. One 
breeder of Pit Games said: “ We let our 
birds do the fighting, but the Indian Game 
fellows excuse their birds and do it them¬ 
selves.” The Indian Game cock will run 
like a dung hill poltroon, but the breeders 
are out for all there is in the poultry busi¬ 
ness, and seem likely to get their full 
share. Names of the prize winners will be 
given in subsequent numbers. 
Common-Sense Chairs. 
We have had such complete satisfaction 
for 14 years past in the use of Sinclair’s 
chairs, that we heartily recommend them 
to our readers, and have made arrange¬ 
ments to offer them 
as premiums. For 
descriptive catalogue 
address F. A. Sin¬ 
clair, Mottville, N. 
N. We give the 
Centennial Rocker 
(maple frame, double 
cane back and seat, 
natural color or ma- 
THOUGHT STARTERS. 
Poisoning the Circulation.—As poison 
in the blood permeates arteries, veins, 
nerves, brain and heart, and speedily 
brings paralysis or death, so does a debased 
or fluctuating currency permeate all the 
arteries of trade, paralyze all kinds of 
business and bring disaster to all classes 
of people. It is as impossible for com¬ 
merce to flourish with such an instrument 
as it is for the human body to grow strong 
and vigorous with a deadly poison lurking 
in the blood.—Secretary Windom’s Last 
Words. 
A Promising Youngster.— The people in 
the West were never more industrious, 
never better prepared for substantial, safe 
business progress than now. If the people 
in the East will only quit getting fright¬ 
ened at financial shadows, if they will only 
try to subdue their agony about gold, the 
West will soon be able to earn enough to 
take care of the East in its old age.—Kan¬ 
sas City Journal (Rep.). 
Protection That Protects.— The power 
that even rends the hem of an American 
missionary’s dress should answer for it at 
Washington. This is not jingoism. It is 
practical evangelism.—Chicago Inter Ocean 
(Rep.) 
Uncle Sam Encourages Pernicious 
Literature.— Mr. A. R. Spofford, Libra¬ 
rian of Congress, says: “If I buy Prof. 
Langley’s New Astronomy in New York I 
must pay 28 cents to get it to Washington 
by mail; but I can receive 100 volumes of 
the trash of Zola or Ouida for 28 cents 
postage because the Government charges 
just eight times as much to garry improv¬ 
ing literature as for the opposite. Books 
of science, religion, and literature are thus 
disfavored, • and the advocates of cheap 
postage for cheap books call this popular 
education.” 
hogany stain, price $6) in return for five 
new subscriptions at $2, or nine new sub¬ 
scription at $1.50 each. With a year’s sub¬ 
scription for only $5 50. Any other chairs 
in the catalogue furnished on a similar 
basis. BSP* If vour own subscription is 
paid for 1891, you can sell the subscrip¬ 
tion to your neighbor. 
The Light of New Days. 
W©—wife and I—have been more than 
pleased with our Pittsburgh lamps. At 
first we only half believed the claims of the 
manufacturers. We did not know that 
any kerosene light could be so beautifully 
soft and strong—a powerful light without 
glare and flicker, 
easy and delight¬ 
ful for tired eyes. 
Now we are con¬ 
vinced and hearti¬ 
ly indorse all the 
claims so far test- 
3 ed. The lamp it¬ 
self is a thing of 
beauty. Here is a 
picture of perhaps 
the handsomest of 
the series. They 
are finished in sil¬ 
ver, embossed and 
highly ornamen¬ 
tal. The “ Pitts- 
_ ^ burgh ” is a prom¬ 
inent feature of our Premium List and we 
would be glad to send one to every home in 
the great RURAL family, and we have ar¬ 
ranged to furnish our subscribers with any 
of these lamps at special rates. The silver 
lamp above figured, complete, with a year’s 
subscription, for $5 50; in brass, ditto, at 
$4.50. Retail prices for these lamps are con¬ 
siderably higher. For other styles see 
special circular, which will be sent on ap¬ 
plication. 
[jSF'f/ your own subscription is already 
paid for 1891, you can sell the subscrip¬ 
tion to some other party. 
The Keystone Washer. 
We have on hand a small lot of these 
washing machines left over from last year’s 
premium work. It Is claimed that over 
300,000 are in actual use. Price $6. We 
will send one to any subscriber who will 
forward us a club of five new subscrip¬ 
tions at $1.50 each; or give it together with 
one year’s subscription for $4. 
|pgr If your own subscription is paid for 
1891, you can sell the subscription to your 
neighbor. 
The Keystone Wringer. 
This machine has a reputation of being 
one of the best in use. We offer a No. 
(patent solid, white rubber rolls, 10 inches 
long, adjustable cog¬ 
wheels, metal bearings 
and guards). Price $7. 
With a year’s subscrip¬ 
tion for $5. Given for 
a club of five new sub¬ 
scriptions at $1.50. 
Manahan Ladder 
Hook. 
The illustration shows 
this little article in per¬ 
fection. Price $1 per 
pair. Sold to any sub¬ 
scriber to The Rural New-Yorker at 60 
cents, sent prepaid for six trial subscrip¬ 
tions at 25 cents. 
Scroll Saw and Lathe. 
This scroll saw is one of the best made, 
swings nearly 16 inches clear,is composed en¬ 
tirely of Iron and 
steel except the 
tables and pitmans, 
has very little fric¬ 
tion,will saw Black 
walnut one half 
inch thick, two feet 
a minute, and will 
saw inch walnut 
readily. A band 
drill, screw driver, 
$1 worth of pat¬ 
terns and one dozen 
saws go with each 
machine. Price $8: 
given for a club of ' 
12 new subscrip¬ 
tions at $1.50. The lathe with stand and 
turning tools, all of excellent make, for $2 
additional. Saw and lathe complete sent 
for 15 new subscriptions at “club price, 
$1.50 each. 
Vacuum Tipped Arrow Pistol. 
This is as nearly harmless as any shoot¬ 
ing toy can possibly be. The projectile is 
an arrow armed with a rubber cup, which 
One cent will mail this paper to 
your friend in any part of the United 
States, Canada or Mexico, after 
you have read it and written your 
name on the corner. 
acts on the principle 
of a fly’s foot, stick¬ 
ing to the target by 
pressure of the atmos¬ 
phere. It is as accurate 
as a revolver. Price of pistol with arrow 
and target, bronze, 50 cents; nickel-plated 
75 cents. The first is sent, prepaid, for four 
trial subscriptions; the nickel-plated, one 
for six at. 25 cents. 
OUR BOOK CLUB. 
The Rural New-Yorker, price, $2 ; The American Garden, 
price, $2 ; taken toge ther, $3_. 
Either Rural or Garden, 1 year, in club with any American 
books (strictly on one order) at regular retail prices to 
the value of $1.00, sent prepaid tor $2.50 
“ 1.50, “ 2.75 
* xx)ii mitniixnny vxx nx»n*xxn u x x x x x vv ****** g qq “ 3.00 
| If sent u pon one Order. I « 3 '. 0 o’ “ 4.00 
1 ; ...^ ... ] [i n . in ." 1(:n [ | << 5.00, “ 5.50 
“ 10 . 00 , “ 10-00 
Both Rural and Garden, 1 year, in club with any American books to 
the"value Q f $1 # 00, sent prepaid for $3.85 Exclusive of any books at special pricet 
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If sent upon one Order. I 
a 
1.50, 
i i 
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ii 
2.00, 
ii 
If 
o.2o | _ 
ii 
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ii 
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ii 
6.50 ******** 
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10.00, 
a 
11.00 
your own suusonpuuu « cmcccvxj , x x 
or magazine may be sent to any other address, the books to your own, 
if sent upon one order. 
‘ the RURAL PUBLISHING CO., Times Building, New York. 
