19S 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
December 15. 
I 
between good specimens of tlie Brahma Pootras and 
the Shanghae fowl. As we have already observed, were 
the warted “pea-comb” general in the former birds' 
there would be, in that particular, a feature not recon¬ 
cilable with those of the latter race; but this so rarely 
happens, that we may well be permitted to consider 
the instances in which it occurs as exceptious to the 
normal form. 
At the late Winchester Show, there were exhibited 
several pens of these Brahma Pootras, which deserved 
to be placed amongst the best that have hitherto been 
submitted to public opinion. But here, barring colour 
alone, there was not a single point at variance with 
the Shanghae character. In corroboration of our own 
opinion, Mr. Adkins, of Edgbaston, the gentleman to 
whom the first prize pen belonged, expressed his own 
conviction that no such distinction could be recognised 
either in their appearance or habits. 
Lastly, let us speak of colour, in which respect it 
cannot be asserted that the plumage of the Brahma 
Pootra is farther, or even so far, removed from that of 
the Shanghae race, as the members of the latter family 
are diverse to each other. On this head, indeed, the 
facts would rather associate the contending parties than 
afford grounds for countenancing a distinction. Our 
belief, therefore, may be expressed in the declaration 
that the so-called Brahma Pootra is merely a “ Grey | 
Shanghae ,” of which the evidence as regards its distinct 
character as a permanent variety is yet incomplete. 
Our second question was thus stated—“ Is the Brahma 
Pootra possessed of superior merits and good properties 
to the Shanghae of other breeds?” 
Now, neither as regards their constitutional strength, 
their productiveness as layers, the weight attained in a 
given time, nor the proportionate quantity of food con¬ 
sumed, or of meat returned, are we able to recognise their 
superiority over the Shanghaes of other colours, or such 
races of fowls as are usually placed in comparison with the 
latter. Their plumage, indeed, may be just cause for 
admiration; but even taking the best specimens, it is, 
at least, equalled by selected birds of other Shanghae 
competitors. So that neither as regards their value in 
an economical point of view, nor their mere appear¬ 
ance, can we venture to place thorn over the heads of 
their rivals. 
The foregoing observations must not be assigned to 
any partial motive, for interest, one way or the other, we 
have none; we have, indeed, treated the subject with 
reservation, on account of the limited experience that 
English breeders have as yet had of the more novel 
variety; and whatever facts may still bo elicited, pro 
or con, will, in due course, be carefully placed before 
our readers. 
We must not, however, conceal our opinion that the 
Brahma Pootras have had unwise friends, who, not 
content with allowing these birds a clear stage and fair 
play to develop their merits, have quoted from the other 
side of the Atlantic the most wonderful accounts of 
enormous weight realised by them, and a production of 
eggs trebling in size and number the usual Shanghae 
estimate. These statements have been very far from 
being realised, and the public once misled, is natu- ! 
rally reluctant to give its confidence without complete I 
vouchers of the actual results. 
We have the further announcement of several Poultry 
Exhibitions, of which that proposed to be held at | 
Liverpool on the 18th and 19th of January next pro¬ 
mises to be an important addition to our principal 
annual meetings. With great pleasure we observe the 
wise limitations of the days of exhibition, and trust 
that so good an example may, at least, secure the most 
attentive consideration for the propriety of an alteration 
in this respect in other instances. 
The prize-list contains no premium for “ fowls of any 
othei' distinct breed an omission, as we have recently 
observed, that seems to exclude some deserving speci¬ 
mens, while it limits the means by which the relative 
merits of comparatively unknown varieties may be 
tested. That much “rubbish” is often thus brought 
together, we willingly admit, though reluctant to believe 
that more harm than good results from the retention of 
this miscellaneous class. We doubt, too, whether, iu 
auy point of view, “ the Musk, or Brazilian Duck ” 
deserves the encouragement of a separate prize. 
A graduated scale has been adopted for the number 
of pens to be exhibited by each subscriber, while “ a fee 
of three shillings will be charged for every pen ex¬ 
ceeding that number.” How much better is this than the 
plan of prohibiting any excess on any terms, and thus 
inducing persons who desire to show a larger number 
of pens than the regulations allow to enter them iu the 
names of their wives, children, or servants. This, it is 
well-known, constantly occurs, and it has been again 
and again tacitly countenanced by committees, who 
must have been aware of the evasion. The example of 
the Liverpool Society, therefore, will, we trust, gain 
many imitators. 
At Kendal, the 23rd of December, and the two 
following days, are appointed for the Second Annual 
Meeting of that Society. The coloured Dorkings, we 
ohserve, are separately arranged according to their 
possession of a rose or single comb; otherwise, the 
classes follow the usual routine. But why call Bantams 
“pencilled”? Surely, if a bird really thus marked has 
been obtained, it would not be placed in competition 
with those that are “laced." But a Pencilled Bantam, 
properly so called, we have never been so fortunate as 
to behold—and again, if “ pencilling ” is here used as 
synonymous with “ lacing" a grave error has been 
committed. 
Pigeons are too arbitrarily selected; some of the best, 
both as fancy and really useful birds, being summarily 
jumbled together in the class for odds and ends. 
At Manchester, where an Exhibition is to be held on 
the 24th and 25th of January next, an experiment is 
intended by the institution of a class “ for cocks of any ! 
age of the Spanish, Cochin, Dorking, Game, and Ham- 
burgh breeds.” A great boon is thus, doubtless, given 
