54 
many plants left on the ground induces the mildew to 
attack them before it ought to do so, and this is not 
easily checked in its ravages. Ridge cucumbers, though 
equally liable to it, are less likely to overrun each 
other, and if at planting out an area of some sixteen or 
twenty square feet be allowed to each hill or plant, there 
will be little occasion to remove any entirely; but care¬ 
ful thinning late in the season is of some use in pro¬ 
longing it, as well as spreading out and pegging down 
in the early part of it; but we will in due time return 
to this subject. J. Robson. 
NEWCASTLE, NORTHUMBERLAND, AND 
DURHAM SOCIETY’S POULTRY SHOW. 
This exhibition, after suspension for a year or two, was 
held in the Corn Exchange at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, on 
the 13th inst., under the patronage of the mayor, James 
Hodgson, Esq., and the sheriff, I. L. Bell, Esq. We are 
glad to find that its enterprising secretary, Mr. Trotter, not 
only made the most entries (13), but had awarded to these 
7 first prizes and 3 second. The committee, having only 
been formed a few weeks, did not expect so large an entry 
as ICO lots. They shewed to much advantage in three rows 
of roomy pens. 
The Cochin China fowls were a creditable lot, taking into 
account that “poultry fancying” has not made much pro¬ 
gress northwards. The first prize birds were bred from 
Mr. Simpson’s famous prize hen, and, being only hatched 
in August, were not unworthy of their parent. The second 
were from Mr. Punchard’s stock, and hatched in July; one 
of the pullets is a very good specimen. The first prize for 
cock and one hen was awarded to a very nice pair. The 
cock, bred by Mr. Sturgeon, obtained a head prize at Bir¬ 
mingham in 1850. The Spanish , as a lot, were very inferior, 
being deficient in plumage, as well as in the appearance of 
purity. The first prize birds, although not up to that 
standard of excellence which would satisfy a judge, yet they 
may be said to be beyond the average of what amateurs call 
good Spanish. The Dorkings were pretty good; the first 
prize birds were bred by Lord Hill, the fame of whose fowls 
of this breed is such, that it is unnecessary to allude here to 
their superiority; but in consequence of having been “ bred 
in and in ” they are not large. Dr. Davison exhibited a 
very good pen of one cock and five hens of this breed, and 
which were purchased by Mr. Nate. 
The Malays were so inferior as not to be thought de¬ 
serving of a prize. The Game fowl did not muster well, 
taking into consideration how celebrated this district is for 
this breed; but this may be attributable to the disgusting 
and low following of “ cock-fighting,” which still is suffered 
to be practised in Newcastle, to its disgrace. The “cock¬ 
pit” having been open last week, many birds of “surpassing 
beauty ” were sent in, which would have been an ornament 
in this day’s exhibition. The Polish were very poor indeed; 
and in answer to our criticisms, or rather suggestions, in our 
impression of the 8th instant, we are informed this breed is 
very little cultivated in Northumberland, and the committee 
did not deem it necessary to offer prizes for the different 
varieties of Polish. Amongst the Dutch fowls there were 
some excellent specimens ; these fowls, from being so pret¬ 
tily marked, and being abundant producers of eggs, are 
becoming great favourites. The Bantams were a decidedly 
inferior lot, and would not bear out that beautiful descrip¬ 
tion given of them by Sir John Seabright. The ducks were 
an exceedingly good lot; those of the Rouen variety, to 
which was awarded the first prize, were greatly and justly 
admired. The Aylesbury were also good. The geese were 
not superior. The turkeys were more admired : the cock, to 
which was awarded the first prize, was an excellent specimen 
of that noble and valuable bird in its native forests. On a 
whole, the superiority of this day's exhibition over that of 
former years was so manifest as to be observable to the 
most careless observer. The band of the 28tli regiment 
was in attendance, the excellent performance of which was 
much applauded. The attendance was highly respectable, 
and, taking into consideration that the spring meeting of the 
Newcastle Racing Club was held this day, as well as other 
highly attractive amusements, was numerous. 
April 22 . 
The committee had it in contemplation to keep the exhi¬ 
bition open to nine o’clock, in anticipation of having a large 
attendance in the evening, which would undoubtedly have 
been the case ; but as it would have put many of the exhi¬ 
bitors to inconvenience, the exhibition was closed early, in 
order to allow the fowls to be sent off by the evening trains. 
Although not to be compared to the Yorkshire Society’s 
show at Halifax, either in number or quality, this exhi¬ 
bition was such as we hope will satisfy the promoters of it, 
and the members of the Society, that by a little exertion 
they may in future years produce a show of poultry second 
to those of few local associations, and which will at once 
fulfil their object, in improving the different breeds of fowls 
in their neighbourhood. 
In reply to the remarks made by our correspondent, under 
the head “ bfossip,” that one day is too short a time, it is 
said that one day is sufficiently long enough for valuable 
fowls to be caged up, and that many exhibitors complain of 
the injurious effects arising in consequence of their birds 
being so long detained at some of the leading exhibitions. 
Our correspondent also asked “if the names of the judges 
were purposely withheld from the public,” and the reply is 
in the affirmative, for the purpose of preventing “suspicion." 
Although the names of Messrs. Nate, Bond, and Heaton, 
are sufficient to guarantee any honourable person that no¬ 
thing could possibly be wrong in this way, yet in all societies 
of this kind it is highly desirable that the proceedings 
should be such as to be “ above suspicion." 
The following is a list of the prizes awarded :— 
Price per Lot. 
COCHIN-CHINA.—Cock and Two Hens. s. d. 
). Mr. T. A. H. Dodd, Woodhouse, Ryton, imported 1851 .. t) 6 0 
2. Mrs. W. Trotter, Healey Mill, Hexham, hatched June 27, 
1851—cockeril 2/. 2s., pullets 3/. 3s. each. 8 80 
COCHIN-CHINA.—Cock and One Hen. 
1. J. H. Travis, Esq., Vork,—cock hatched May, 1850, hen 
February, 1851 . 105 0 0 
2. Mr. J. H. Smith, Skelton Grange, York.10 0 0 
SPANISH.—Cock and Two Hens. 
1. Mrs. W. Trotter, Healey Mill, hatched 1850 . 10 10 0 
2. Mrs. Hindhaugh, Pensher House . 1 10 0 
DORKING.—Cock and Two Hens. 
1. Mrs. W. Trotter, Healey Mill, Hexham. 55 0 
2. Mrs. W. Tweddell, hatched 1850 5 0 0 
DORKING.—Cock and One Hen. 
1. Dr. Davison, Seaton Delaval . 220 
GAME FOWL.—Cock and Two Hens. 
1. Mr. John Charlton, Simpson-street, Newcastle, 3 years .. 2 0 0 
2. Mr. John Charlton, Simpson-street, Newcastle, 9 months old 2 0 0 
GOLD PENCILLED HAMBURGH.—Cock and Two Hens. 
1. Mr. George Lowe, Southfield, Birmingham. 1 10 0 
2. Mrs. W. Trotter, Healey Mill . 3 0 0 
SILVER PENCILLED HAMBURGH.—Cock and Two Hens. 
1. Mr. G. Forster, Slaley, Hexham, hatched 1851 (June).. .. 1 10 0 
2. Mr. Ralph Blackburn, Slaley, Hexham,—cock hatched 1850, 
hens, June, 1851 . 110 0 
POLAND.—Cock and Two Hens. 
2. Mr. James Jones (Black Polish). 1 10 0 
ANY OTHER VARIETY.—Cock and Two Hens. 
1. Mrs. Robinson, Grey Mare Hill, Riding Mill (Sussex) .. 2 0 0 
2. Mr. John Dinning, Adderston, 2 years . 500 
BANTAMS.—Cock and Two Hens. 
2. Richard Adams, Esq., Selby (Gold Laced) .10 0 0 
2. John Grey, Esq., Garesfield, Gateshead (Gold Laced).. ..21 0 0 
2. Mr. Geo. Hall, Blaydon, Newcastle (Gold Laced). 10 0 
2. Mr. Matthew Swanston, Jesmond (White) . 2 2 0 
ANY BREED.—Cock and Five Hens. 
1. Dr. Davison, Seaton Delaval (Dorking).10 0 0 
2. Mrs. W. Tweddle (Dorking) . 5 0 0 
PIGEONS. 
1. Mr. T. S. Wilson, Newcastle, carriers, 2 years . 1 0 0 
GEESE. 
1. Mrs. W. Trotter, Healey Mill. 1 0 0 
2. Miss Tweddell, Whickham(Hong Kong,or red-legged Chinese) 2 0 0 
DUCKS—AYLESBURY. 
1. Mrs. Gibson, Derwent Villa, Newcastle, 2 years old .. .. 50 0 0 j 
2. J. S. Challoner, Esq., Newcastle, 11 months. 3 0 0 
DUCKS.—ROUEN. 
1. Mr. Thomas Reid, Leazes, Newcastle, hatched 1850 .. 
2. Mrs. Gibson, Derwent Villa, Newcastle. 25 0 0 
MUSCOVY.—Drake and One Duck. 
1. Mr. Stable, Newcastle. 1 .. .. 20 0 0 
TURKEYS.—Cock and Hen. 
1. Mrs. W. Trotter, Healey Mill, Hexham (Norfolk) .. .. 5 0 0 
TURKEY COCK. 
1. Mrs. W. Trotter, Healey Mill, Hexham (American), hatched 
1851 5 0 0 
2. Mrs. Robinson, Great Mare Hill, Riding Mill, hatched 1850 1 0 U 
2. H. Marshall, Esq., Durham, batched July, 1850 . 3 0 0 
GUINEA FOWL. 
1. Mr. Joseph Laycock . l l o 
PEA FOWL. 
1. Mr. John Dinning, Adderston ..10 0 0 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
