December 8. THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 175 
SILVER PHEASANTS (Silver Spangled Hamburgh). 
POINTS. MARKS ON FBATHERS, &C., CONSIDERED BEST. 
1st, Comb.—Best double, best square, most erect, and best piked behind. 
2nd, Ears.—Largest and best white. 
3rd, Nrt:k.—Best streaked, with green black in the middle of the feather, 
and best silvered at the edges of the feather. 
4th, Breast.—Largest moons, brightest and best green black, most free 
from being tipped with white at the edge of the moon, 
and the best silvered from the moon to the bottom of 
the feather. 
5th, Back.—Largest moons, brightest and best green black, least tipped 
with white at the end of the feather, and clearest and 
best silvered from the moon to the bottom of the 
feather. 
6th, Rump.—Largest moons, brightest and best green black, least tipped 
with white at the end of the feather, and the clearest 
and best silvered from the moon to the bottom of the 
feather. 
7th, Wing (divided into four parts). 1. Bow .—Best and brightest green 
black, and best silvered. 2. Bars. —To have two dis¬ 
tinct bars, composed of the largest, clearest, brightest, 
and best green black moons, and best silvered from the 
moon to the bottom of the feather. 3. Flight. —Best 
and clearest silvered. 4. Lacing , or top of the wing, 
above the flight. —Largest, clearest, best, and brightest 
green black spots on the end of the feather, and best 
silvered from the spot to the bottom of the feather. 
8th, Tail.—The brightest, darkest, and best green black. To be full 
feathered. 
9th, Legs.—Clearest and best blue. 
10th, Gemeral Appearance.—The best feathered hen. 
BLACK PHEASANTS (No new name at present). 
POINTS. MARKS ON FEATHERS, &C., CONSIDERED BEST. 
1st, Comb.—Best double, best square, most erect, and best piked behind. 
2nd, Ears.—Largest and best white. 
3rd, Colour.—The best and richest glossed green black. 
4th, Legs.—Best and clearest blue. 
5 th, General appearance.—Best feathered hen. 
CREELS (Silver Pencilled Hamburghs). 
POINTS. MARKS ON FEATHERS, &C., CONSIDERED BEST. 
1st, Comb.—Best double comb, best square, most erect, and the best 
piked on the top and behind. 
2nd, Ears.—Largest and best white. 
3rd, Neck.—Clearest and best white. 
4th, Breast.—Largest, clearest, and best white. 
5th, Back.—Largest and best clear green black spots on the end of the 
feather, and the clearest white ground. 
6th, Rump.—Largest and best clear green black spot on the end of the 
feather, and clearest white ground. 
7th, Wing (divided into four parts). 1. Bow. —Largest and best clear 
green black spot on the end of the feather, and the 
clearest white ground. 2. Bars. —Largest and best 
clear green black spot on the end of the feather, and 
the clearest white ground. 3. Flight. —Clearest and 
best white. 4. Lacing , or top of the wing , above the 
flight .—Largest and best clear green black spots on 
the end of the feather, and the clearest white ground. 
8 th, Tail.—Best clear green black creeled tail. 
9th, Legs.—Clearest and best blue legs. 
10th, General Appearance.—Best feathered hen. 
To the foregoing communication, and to the subject 
generally, we ask the serious attention of all judges 
of Poultry. We have not yet been able to come to a 
positive opinion as to the details of the desirable stand' 
ards of merit for the guidance of judges at our Poultry 
Exhibitions, hut we incline to think that those stand¬ 
ards should be on a plan allied to that by which the 
merits of cattle at the Shows in the Channel Islands are 
determined. The following is their plan:— 
Scale fop. Examining Bulls. 
POINTS. 
1. —Race of both parents acknowledged to have been 
superior . ..4 
2. —Head handsome and fine; cheek small; muzzle 
small, and compassed round with white; nostril 
large and dilated ; horns smooth, a little curved, 
and tipped with black, not very thick at the base ; 
ears small, and orange-colourod inside ; eye lively 
and large.8 
3. — Neck fine, and well-placed upon the shoulders; 
breast large ; body round and deep, with the ribs 
rounded well-up to the haunches - - - 3 
4. — Back straight from the shoulders to the tail, 
forming a right angle with the tail; tail fine - 3 
0. —Hide fine and loose, well-covered with fine, soft 
hair, and of an approved colour - - - 3 
0. — Fore-leys straight, short, fine and strong, large 
above the knee, and fine beneath it - - - 2 
7. — Hind-quarters, from the hough to the back, long 
and well filled-up with flesh. The legs ought not 
to cross behind when walking .... 2 
8. —Symmetry - -.-2 
9. —Condition, or general appearance - - - 1 
28 
No prize to be awarded to a Bull having less than twenty 
points. 
The principle on which this code of rules is formed, 
seems, with certain modifications, generally applicable 
to our present wants. Judges, it may he certain, no 
less than exhibitors, will gladly welcome such an 
arrangement, and in every respect would it he advan¬ 
tageous to those who may take an interest in poultry 
matters, without themselves occupying either of the 
above positions. 
At the same time it must not he concealed that the 
difficulties in the way of carrying-out such a measure 
are considerable; and, probably, it would he agreed, 
that it has hitherto been wisely deferred, since each of 
the last few years has added so greatly to our know¬ 
ledge of the properties, merits, and characteristics of the 
several breeds, that constant changes would, in most 
instances, have been required. In our present position, 
however, there seems no reason why the combined 
judgment of practical men should not he brought to 
hear upon this subject, and it shall not be neglected. 
A most liberal prize-list has been issued for a Poultry 
Show, to he held at Shrewsbury, on the 8th and 9th of 
this month; and the name of Viscount Hill, as 
President, guarantees due attention to the requirements 
of both exhibitors and the public generally. The 
classes, with a single exception, follow the usual 
routine, but that for “ birds of any other distinct breed,” 
has been excluded. We regret this, as however un¬ 
willing to dignify with that designation many of the 
birds that claim that title, the policy of such a class 
cannot he questioned, when it offers the only means of 
admission to many varieties that possess merit, not 
only as regards their appearance, but also in an eco¬ 
nomical point of view. It is, also, the only field in which 
their alleged good qualities can he satisfactorily tested, 
and then it usually becomes by no means the least 
attractive portion of the Exhibition. The Andalusians, 
and many of the Polish varieties, with the Ptarmingan, 
and other novelties, on which the public would gladly 
gain further information, must by this rule be necessarily 
excluded. 
EARLY POTATOES IN FRAMES. 
I FEEL that this is rather a grave subject to handle, | 
as times go, for we have all seen the very best practice 
rendered nugatory, during the last few years, through 
the devastating powers of the murrain. Nevertheless, 
we must not utterly despair, nor stand with folded 
arms, whilst any chance remains of restoring this inva¬ 
luable root to its pristine powers. It is a fact worthy 
