1893 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
i9i 
POULTRY, PIGEONS AND PHEASANTS. 
THE GREAT 8HOW AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN. 
This was undoubtedly the banner show of the year, 
if not of many years. There were about 4,000 birds 
in all, and the quality of most of them was a credit to 
their breeders. Many classes were very large, and the 
judges must have had close work to rightly distribute 
the various colored ribbons. The market products, 
dressed poultry and eggs, received more attention 
than usual, a marked contrast to the Philadelphia 
show. The arrangement was better than last year, 
the incubators and brooders, sales department, etc., 
being placed in the former restaurant room on the 
corner, where a fairly good light was much more 
favorable for observation than the dark basement 
to which these have heretofore been consigned. The 
management was a great improvement over former 
years, and it is to be hoped that the financial results 
are such as the promoters deserve. 
The great number of buff birds of different breeds 
shows how the public taste is tending. Fashions m 
poultry change as do those in bonnets. Those who 
keep poultry for the fun of it, care less for the prac¬ 
tical capabilities of a breed than they do for some par¬ 
ticular color or shading or turn of comb. The shrewd 
breeder meets these demands by supplying the birds 
or eggs of the fashionable breeds. No enterprising 
milliner would think of trying to sell to her customers 
last year’s bonnets. They may be just as good bonnets 
as the latest styles for all practical purposes, but she 
couldn’t get nearly so much for them because they are 
not in fashion. Sometimes, too, the modistes are sus¬ 
pected of creating new designs for the purpose of 
extracting more money from the unsuspecting female 
pocket. So, too, the breeder tempts the amateur 
fancier and draws more money from his pockets by 
the new designs in feathers. Sometimes the old and 
almost forgotten breeds are again brought forth and 
made to play the same role, for all the world as the 
bonnets of our grandmothers which the belles of 
to-day delight to wear. 
An example of the latter is found in the Cochins, of 
which breed nearly 300 birds were exhibited. This 
was said to be the largest and finest collection ever 
got together in America, if not in the world. As 
shown here, the Buff breed is an attractive one, but it 
is not such as the farmer wants. The hens are not 
extra layers, and the heavily feathered legs unfit them 
for the vicissitudes of our Northern farm yards in the 
severe weather of the colder seasons. These breeds 
are divided into two classes, the difference being a 
little heavier leg feathering on one than on the other. 
Thus finely do fanciers draw the line. Next the Buffs 
come the beautifully colored Partridge Cochins which 
seem great favorites. In smaller numbers are the 
Blacks and Whites. All are distinguished as either 
“American,” or “full-feathered,” a point of little 
moment so far as practical results are concerned. 
Following close upon the Cochins in numbers comes 
another Asiatic breed, the Brahma. The preference 
here seems to be for the Light, only a small number 
of Dark being exhibited, and a single breeding pen of 
White. Fowls of this breed are more worthy of the 
attention of farmers as general-purpose birds than 
those of the Cochin, though they can’t compare with 
the Leghorns for eggs. There seems a great difference 
in individual birds, or perhaps different strains. Some 
are logy and slow of movement, while others seem 
lively and active. It seems to me that here is just the 
distinction the farmer should consider in different 
strains of this breed. 
Another Asiatic breed that has come rapidly into 
notice is the Langshan. The showing of these was 
good, mostly Blacks, a few Whites and some Blues. 
They are more active than either of the other Asiatics 
mentioned, are called better layers, and give promise 
of being an excellent breed for the farm. The color 
of the Blacks is against them, but this is only skin- 
deep. The Whites have not come to the front as have 
the Blacks, owing to a grave difference of opinion 
among their breeders soon after their first importa¬ 
tion ; one clique contended that the bottoms of the 
feet should be of one shade of color, while the other 
was equally positive that another shade was the only 
one possessed by a true White Langshan. 
With all their faults, breeders still love the old 
Barred P. Rock, and large numbers of these were 
shown. A well-bred specimen of this breed is, indeed, 
a handsome bird, and, as all-round fowls they are 
hard to beat. Nearly as many Whites as Barred were 
exhibited, and these seem to be growing in favor. 
They appear to possess the good qualities of the 
others, with the added advantage of a popular color. 
The craze for buff color has struck the P. Rock 
breeders, as it has those of several other breeds, and 
some fine specimens were shown. This seems to be 
the fashionable color. 
That other good American breed, the Wyandotte, 
was out in force in several different colors. The Sil¬ 
vers still lead, but the newer Whites are crowding 
them hard. The Wyandotte is a prime favorite with 
those who want general-purpose fowls, and, as the 
Whites are easier to breed and seem to equal the Sil¬ 
vers in all respects, I shouldn’t be surprised to see 
them outnumber the old originals at an early day. 
Some magnificent specimens were shown. There were 
several fine Goldens, quite a showing of Buffs, and a 
very few Blacks. 
The Mediterranean breeds were led, of course, by 
the Leghorns, but the fashion in these is changing. 
Formerly the Whites were the favorites; at this show 
the Browns outnumbered them two to one. There is 
no question but the latter are gaining rapidly in pop¬ 
ularity. Still the preference in both colors seems to 
be for Single rather than Rose Combs. The chief ad¬ 
vantage of the latter seems to be in their being less 
affected by frost. There were a few Blacks, and a 
single breeding pen of Buffs, pi iced at $500. 
Minorcas, mostly Blacks, a very few Whites, come 
next in order, but their great beefy combs, still larger 
than those of the Leghorns, are an objection in cold 
climates, and it is still harder to keep the birds con¬ 
fined. 
Another of the newer breeds, justly becoming pop¬ 
ular, is the Indian Game. There was a smaller exhibit 
than last year, because of the absence of one of the 
largest importers and breeders. There were some 
good birds, but many poor ones, there being wide 
variations in the coloring. This is an excellent 
breed for crossing upon another, and especially on the 
heavier breeds. 
The rest of the poultry comprised a large number of 
different breeds, represented by a few specimens; a 
fine display of many varieties of Bantams, capons, 
Guineas, turkeys, ducks and geese. Many were the old 
well known breeds, like the Hamburgs and Houdans, 
and some were oddities like the Silkies and Rumpless. 
Among ducks, the beautiful, snowy Pekins easily led 
in number and quality of birds. These are undoubt¬ 
edly the best ducks bred to-day. Among a large num¬ 
ber of different breeds of geese, Toulouse and Embden 
stood at the head. There were monster Bronze and 
White turkeys and some Slate. 
There was the best display of eggs I ever saw, many 
kinds and colors, including several crosses, all taste¬ 
fully arranged. Mr. L. H. Myers had a fine showing. 
He makes a specialty of eggs for incubators, for which 
he receives $4 per 100, and is unable to supply the 
demand. He crosses a great deal, without much ap¬ 
parent system, except that he likes to work in the 
lighter breeds like the Leghorns. This insures more 
vigor, and greater fertility. Mr. Myers also exhibited 
a large display of fine dressed poultry, of every va¬ 
riety. I am glad to see these two features more 
largely represented than formerly. 
Then there were hundreds of pigeons, rabbits, 
pheasants of various kinds, etc. The incubators and 
brooders were out in force, but there were fewer chicks 
than usual. The old moth-eaten custon of awarding 
premiums on these was followed. All in all, it was a 
good show, not perfect, but helpful, educational, and 
reflecting credit upon the management and the ex¬ 
hibitors. May we have more of them, only improved ! 
f. h. v. 
TRADEWINDS. 
[The following catalogues -were received too late for review In our 
catalogue edition.] 
B. L. Biiagg & Co., SprlDgtleld, Mass. -Seeds of all kinds; agricul¬ 
tural Implements, farm wagons, carts, manure spreaders, etc. 
David B. Woodbury, Paris, Oxford County, Me.—Bulbs, flower and 
vegetable seeds. Horticultural Pole Lima, Woodbury squash. Pansy 
seed a specialty. 
Fred. E. Young, Rochester, N. Y.—Fruit trees of all kinds. Lom¬ 
bard plum, Russian apples, crab apples. 
Edwin Allen A Son. New Brunswick, N. J.—Fruits large and small; 
evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs, vines and climbers. The 
promising Vermont Beauty pear a specialty. 
SlaymakerA Son, Dover, Del.—An excellent list of small fruits. 
The Timbrel! strawberry Is offered—not more than 50 plants to be sold 
to any one person. 
J. H. Tryon, Willoughby, O.—Circular of small fruits. The Green¬ 
ville strawberry a specialty. The following grapes, originated by T. 
V. Munson, are offered: Brilliant, Rommel. G. W. Campbell, Herman 
Jaeger. Also Champion poach and Vermont Beauty pear. 
A. H. Grieba, Lawrence, Kan.—Wholesale list of fruit and orna¬ 
mental trees. The Kansas blackcap Is highly Indorsed by first-rate 
authorities as larger and better In quality than the Gregg. 
M. Crawford, Cuyahoga Falls. O.—A catalogue of strawberry 
plants and gladioli. Our readers will make no mistake In ordering 
from Mr. Crawford. He Is one of our best strawberry authorities, and 
he alms to fully satisfy his patrons. The promising strawberry which 
ho calls Childs Is really the Iowa Beauty. 
D. B. Garvin A Son, Wheeling, W. Va.—A catalogue of small fruits, 
trees, plants and vines. 
L. J. Farmer. Pulaski, N. Y.—A small fruit catalogue Issued as we 
believe by an enterprising, capable and trustworthy young man. 
T. V. Munson, Denison, Texas.—A catalogue of large and small 
fruits, ornamental trees, nuts, llgs, etc., and a descriptive list of 29 of 
Munson’s best hybrid and crossbred grapes, with Illustrations of 
reveral and a colored plate of the Brilliant. Mr. Munson has done 
more to promote the best Interests of the grape grower than any 
other man in the country, and he Is regarded as our first grape 
authority. 
Lewis Koesch, Fredonla, N. Y. -Descriptive list of grape vines and 
general nursery stock. Mr. ltoesch thinks highly of the Early Ohio 
grape, of which a colored portrait appears, He describes It as a trifle 
smaller than Concord, black In oolor, firm, sploy, of pleasant flavor, 
clings to the stem llrraly, outylelds Mooro’B Early, and Is earlier and 
better. 
8CHLEGBL A Fottler, Boston, Mass.—Seeds of all kinds, bulbs and 
tuberous roots, dahlias, gladioli, foliage and blossoming plants for 
bedding, hardy herbaceous plants, ornamental shrubs, roses, etc. A 
conservative straightforward firm. 
Thomas Meehan A Son, Germantown, Pa.—A descriptive cata¬ 
logue of deciduous and evergreen shrubs and trees, vines, etc., with 
a colored portrait of the Red Flowering Dogwood. We know of no 
more trustworthy firm. 
Parsons A Sons Co., Flushing, L. I.—Descriptive catalogue of trees 
and shrubs of all kinds. Rhododendrons and azaleas a specialty. 
The descriptions are concise and the lists are full. It Is an old and 
much respected firm. _ 
BUSINESS BITS. 
Legett's Paris-Green Gun.—A very good illustration of this gun 
appears In the advertising columns this week. This Is the gun that 
proved so satisfactory In the trials made on the Rural Grounds last 
year, for distributing dry powders and Insecticides. 
Several readers have recently asked us to send their names to 
farmers who want to buy the Rural New-Yorker No. 2 and other pota¬ 
toes. We take this occasion to answer that the best way to dispose of 
seed potatoes is by placing a little advertisement in The Rural New- 
Yorker. We sold a great many bushels this way last year. Write 
out what you want to say, send It to us, and we will tell you what It 
will coBt per week to run It In The Rural. 
Using Soft Coal.—O n page 35, January 21, O. C., New Madison, O., 
asks about the value and use of soft-coal screenings. Here In the 
heart of the soft-coal region, the best use we can make of them is for 
fuel. We call them “slack,” and have no trouble In using It entirely 
free from any lumps In stoves or grates, Some wet It as blacksmiths 
do, and blacksmiths here use no other kind. Lump coal is used to 
kindle and to make quick fires In cooking stoves and grates; but In 
ordinary weather In winter slack Is just as good as lumps. I have the 
lumps picked out of the coal I use In my parlor, dining-room and 
chambers, and use only slack coal. Two-thirds of the coal we use In 
the kitchen range Is also slack. A little experience teaches how to 
use It to advantage. J- k. w. 
EID’S 
TIMBRELL 
I IIVIUIVUIalB rie s, is like com¬ 
paring Nancy Hanks with other horses. 
SURPASSES EVERY KNOWN KIND. 
TIMBRELL 
Is the LARGEST, 
MOST PRODUCTIVE, 
BEST FLAVORED 
berrv ever offered to the public—in hardiness and vigor equal 
to Parker Earle; in solidity not surpassed by any, and is 
THE LATES T BERRY EVE R OFFERED. 
E S CARMAN, Editor Rural New Yorker, says : 
“As judged By me, the hcst berry, all things 
considered, I have ever tried. Were I confined 
to hut one berry, it would he TIMBREL,!..” 
TIMBRELL is acknowledged as the best berry ever offered 
bv the leading Horticulturists of America. We are going to 
Pay over $500 in Premiums Best^TEJ^ Berries in 
1894. See that you are in. the contest. Dozen. $14.00. 
TIMBRELL 
STRAWBERRY. 
For the TEN 
BEST BERRIES. 
Our illustrated Catalogue — which is a “Beauty — of 
“Everything for the Fruit Grower,” will he mailed Free. 
If you mention this paper, we will send a circular giving 
full description of Tlmbrcll, and a beautiful colored plate. 
Fam A A we will send you the following 
■ ^ Collection of Fruits, etc. 
1 IDAHO PEAR, 1 YELLOW TRANSPARENT APPLE, 
i ABUNDANCE’ PLUM, J MEECIl’S PRO. QUINCE, 
1 CHAMPION and 1 ELBERTA PEACH, 1 DIAMOND 
GRAPE, 3 FAY’S CURRANTS, G PARKER EARLE 
STRAWBERRIES, O PALMER RASPBERRIES, 1 IN¬ 
DUSTRY GOOSEBERRY, 1 HARDY HYDRANGEA, 
and I HARDY ROSE._ 
This advertisement must accompany order for Collection, 
naming paper. Catalogue FREE. 
E.W.REID , Nurseryman, Bridgeport,Ohio. 
