20 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
April ]. 
your space, expecting that “ Censor's” temperate rebuke 
Would be sufficient, “ that a gentleman ought not to make 
an assertion that could not be verified;” but as be now 
erroneously states that X am a dealer, and, as such, dis¬ 
qualified to compete, I beg to correct him (I enclose my 
card). If I am not an amateur of poultry in every sense of 
the word, then are there none, for I never sell, or seek to do 
so, otherwise than by affixing a price at the exhibition. T am 
sorry Mr. Williams should so far allow his feelings of disap¬ 
pointment to get the better of him. He has said, that seeing 
the pen of fowls referred to, at Liverpool, he consulted his i 
catalogue, and there read as follows :—S. T. Baker, <fcc,, Ac., 
and Half-moon Passage, Gracecliurch-street; a reference to 1 
which will show that his feelings as an amateur of poultry 
have been stronger than those of an amateur of truth. 
He appears to have acted fairly only in venting his spleen 
equally against the Judges, dealers, exhibitor and exhibited; 
“the devil, after all, is not so black as I painted him.” 
Would it be a gratification to him to ring the unoffending 
bird's neck? _ 
I have been told, by competent Judges, as a pen, mine j 
were the best Polands ever exhibited. The cock was, un- ! 
doubtedly, the worst of the lot; hut the hens were of such 
unsurpassable beauty that they fully made up for any 
deficiency. Your subscribers must congratulate themselves 
that the personalities, abuse, and misstatements, indulged 
in by Mr. Williams, are the exception, not the rule in your 
paper. Apologizing for troubling you, I remain, St. 
Thomas Baker. 
[Mr. Baker is an engineer. Mr. Williams took it for 
granted that there could be but one Mr. Baker at Chelsea, 
and that that Mr. Baker must be the well-known poulterer. 
This is only one more instance among thousands, that what 
is taken for certain without inquiry usually leads the taker 
into error.—E d. C. G.] 
OUR LETTER BOX. 
Sodden Death of a Gold Pheasant (A Constant Reader ).— “I have 
lost a beautiful hen bird, two years old ; but it showed no symptoms of 
any approaching disease till within an hour or two before its death. My 
employer sent it to a bird-stuffer—a fancier near the neighbourhood—who 
said it died with an enlargement of the heart, caused by over-feeding. 
The way they have been fed is as follows:—Maize, with barley; some¬ 
times boiled rice, and plenty of green food. I generally feed them three 
times per day, throwing down just as much as they pick up at the time, 
which is not much, as they are such delicate eaters. The bird seemed 
as if it had been choked with large maize, or something, as there was 
blood all around its beak, and it gaped and retched. When first I saw 
it I gave castor oil; but it died a few minutes after.” 
[The symptoms mentioned are not those of enlargement of the heart— 
a disease not liable to be produced by over-feeding. I should say that 
the birds were not over-fed; but it would be impossible to state the 
disease positively without a more accurate knowledge of the case.— 
W. B. T.] 
Gizzard-fallen in Pigeons. —“ G. D. has a valuable hen Carrier 
Pigeon which he much prizes, and is concerned to find her swollen 
behind between the vent and the end of the breastbone, which he finds 
(by post mortem examinations on previous occasions) to be an enlarge¬ 
ment of the gizzard and intestines. What treatment would be recom¬ 
mended by Mr. B. Brent (who is a well-known, good fancier), or any 
other contributor ? 
“ What work would be advisable to procure a knowledge of cultivating 
and manuring a small plot of land in the neighbourhood of Dublin, in 
addition to what is set forth in that admirable little work, ‘ Gardening 
for the Many ? * ” 
[The disease of G. D.’s Carrier is, probably, what is termed, “ Gizzard 
fallen.” It proceeds from debility, caused, in many instances, from in- 
and-in breeding, want of exercise, or too stimulating food. It was 
considered incurable by the old fanciers, though flying has been recorn- I 
mended. The disease has not come under my notice, and, therefore, I 
can only suggest that a grain of calomel given once or twice may remove j 
the inflammation, and that exercise and more natural food, combined with I 
such condiments as they get when at liberty, will, in all probability, restore I 
the bird if not too far gone.—B. P. B. 
We shall soon publish a similar manual to “ Gardening for the Many,” 
applicable to pour wants.] 
White Cochin-China Eggs (A. D.).— Look in our advertisements. 
There are plenty from first-rate stocks offered there. 
Hamburgiis (IP. H. Spencer). —One variety ha9 pencilled feathers, 
and the other spangled feathers. You will see drawings of both kinds 
of these feathers in a former volume. 
Marking Fowls.—Mixing Meal for them.—“ I write to inquire, 
through the medium of The Poultry Chronicle, if you can advise 
me how I am to place any distinguishing marks on very young chickens ? 
I mean, if marks can be made which will be attached to the bird through 
life? Also, the best way of preparing oatmeal or barlcymeal for young 
broods? I find even in its admixture with pollard it is so sticky as not 
to be relished by them, and they almost always leave it for grain.— 
Amicus Galli.” 
[Game breeders mark their chickens in the webs of the feet. We have 
always marked ours in the web of the wings ; sometimes by passing a 
piece of small, coloured twine through it by means of a stout needle, and 
tying it in, making each colour to distinguish a brood. At other times 
we have perforated the web with a hot knitting-needle. This can never 
be obliterated. Any number of broods may be distinguished thus: 
.* . - * - : : The pain is merely momentary. The 
first is the least painful, and it seldom works out. Oatmeal or barley- 
meal, mixed with an equal quantity of coarse pollard and very little 
water, is quite crumbly. It ought to be given in troughs with barred 
lids, so that the chickens can get their heads in to feed, but cannot walk 
over it.] 
Monster Eggs. —In reply to G. M.*s inquiry, Mr. W. B. Tcget- 
meier says, the cause of the Goose laying such enormous eggs is ‘an 
over-supply of nutritious food.’ Suspecting that this might be the reason, 
last autumn and winter, 1854 — 55, the two Geese and Gander were kept 
in a grass field, and debarred from any other food than what they could 
pick up for themselves during a period of at. least three or four mornhs. 
They were supplied with oats merely when the ground was covered with 
snow, and yet the Goose laid these monster eggs as frequently as she has 
done this year. What quantity of oats or barley ought to be sufficient 
for one day for the two Geese and Gander ?—G. M.” 
[The cause of soft eggs in poultry has yet to be discovered. There is 
no doubt it arises from derangement of some of the organs concerned 
in their production. In this instance, both were fed alike, and one laid 
soft eggs. We would advise that gravel and mortar be mixed with the 
oats given. When there is a good run of grass they require little food ; 
but to keep them in high condition they might have a pint of oats per 
day, and the gander should have very few of them.] 
LONDON MARKETS —March :31st. 
COVENT GARDEN. 
We have but trifling alterations to report, the prevailing easterly 
winds having rendered our supplies very uncertain and short; but this 
being holiday week, we have had quite sufficientfor the demand. Pears 
are now limited to Ne plus Meuris, Easter Beurre', and Beurre‘ de 
Ranee •, the latter being most plentiful, and, from Standards, seem to 
ripen well. Green Peas are now imported from France and Spain, hut 
do not meet with much demand. Other Continental produce remains 
much about the same, and consists of Artichokes, French Beans, 
Radishes, Lettuces , and Endive . Potato trade dull, at former rates. 
FRUIT. 
Apples, kitchen, per 
bushel. 
3s. 
to 
6s 
,, dessert .... 
6 s. 
10 s. 
Pears, per dozen .... 
Is. 
3s. 
Pine-apples, per lb... 
8 s. 
,, 
12 s. 
Foreign Grapes, per lb 
. 2 s. 
3s. 
Hothouse ditto, ditto 
15s. 
30s. 
Strawberries, per oz.. 
2 s. 
3s. 
Foreign Melons, each 
2 s. 
4s. 
Oranges, per 100 .... 
4s. 
,, 
10 s. 
Seville Oranges, do... 
6 s, 
» > 
12 s. 
Lemons. 
6s. 
12 s. 
Almonds, per lb. 
2 s. 
— 
Nuts, Filberts, per 
100 lbs. 
50s. 
60 s. 
,, Cobs, ditto .. 
60 s. 
70 s. 
,, Barcelona,per 
bushel. 
20 s. 
,, 
22 s. 
Nuts, Brazil, ditto.. 
12 s. 
,, 
14s. 
Walnuts, per 1000 .. 
9s. 
1 28 . 
Chestnuts, per bushel 
15S. 
24s. 
VEGETABLES. 
Cabbages, perdoz. Is. to Is. fid. 
,, Red, perdoz. 
2s. ,, 4s. 
Cauliflowers, per doz. 
4s. , 
, 6 s* 
Brocoli per bdle . 
Is. , 
, 2 s. 
Savoys. 
Is. ,, 2 s. 
Greens, per doz. bnch. 
Spinach, persieve..., 
• 4s. , 
, 6 s. 
— 49. 
French Beans, per 
hundred . 
3s. „ 4s. 
Carrots, per bunch .. 
4d. ,, 6 d. 
Parsnips, per doz. 
fid. ,, 
9d. 
Beet, per doz. 
Is. to Is 
. 6 d 
Potatoes, per cwt. . 
3s. ,, 
6 s. 
Onions, young, ditto. 
Turnips, per bunch . 
Leeks, per bunch .... 
• Id. „ 
2 d. 
3d. 
2 d. ,, 
3d. 
Garlic, per lb. 
Horseradish, per 
6 d. „ 
SJ. 
bundle. Is. 6 d. to 2 s. 6 d 
Shallots, per lb. fid. ,, Is. 
Lettuce, Cos, each .... 6 d. to 8 d. 
,, Cabbage per doz. 2d. ,, 3d. 
Endive, per score ..Is. fid. ,, 2 s. 
Celery, per bunch.. 9d. ,, Is. fid. 
Radishes, Turnip, per 
dozen bunches . fid. 
Water Cresses, ditto .. fid. ,, 9d. 
Small Salad, per 
punnet. 2d. ,, 3d. 
Artichokes, per lb.2d. 
Asparagus, per bundle 5s. ,, 8 *. 
Sea-kale, per punnet 2 s. ,, 3s. 
Rhubarb, per bundle 6 d. to Is. 
Cucumbers, each. 19. ,, 3s. 
Mushrooms,perpot Is. 6 d. ,, 2s. 
HERBS. 
Basil, per bunch .... 4d. to 6 d. 
Marjoram, per bunch 4d. ,, 6 d. 
Fennel, per bunch .. 2d. ,, 3d. 
Savory, per bunch .. 2d. ,, 3d. 
Thyme, per bunch .. 2d. ,, 3d. 
Parsley, per bunch .. 2d. ,, 3d. 
Mint, per bunch .... 2 d.,, 4d. 
Green Mint . 6 d. ,, 8 d. 
POULTRY. 
The season of scarcity is making itself felt, and prices are vising. 
Poultry may he very dear for a time, but there is no indication of such 
a dearth as that of 1855. 
Large Fowls .. 6 s. fid. to /s. each 
Smaller do. 48. 6 d. to 5s. 6 d. ,, 
Chickens.... 4s. fid. to 5s. ,, 
Goslings. 8 s. 6 d. to 9s. ,, 
Ducklings .... 5s. to 5s. 6 d. ,, 
Wild Ducks 2s. 3d. to 2s. 6 d. ,, 
Teal.Is. 6 d. to Is. 9d. each 
Widgeon.. Is. fid. to Is. 9d. ,, 
Guinea Fowl 3s, 3d. to 2s. fid. ,, 
Pigeons.lOd. to lid. ,, 
Rabbit.. .. Is. 5d. to Is. fid. ,, 
Wild Ditto.. lOd. tola. Od. ,, 
There have been a few Plover’s eggs, but they are not numerous 
enough to admit of quotation. 
London: Printed bv HuGn Barclay. Winchester High-street, in 
the Parish of Saint Mary Kalendar ; and Published for the Proprietors 
at The Cottage Gardener Office, No. 20, Paternoster Row, in 
i the Parish of Christ Church, City of London.—April 1 , 1856. 
