353 THE COTTAGE GA11DENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN'S COMPANION.— August 13, 1856. 
WIGAN POULTRY EXHIBITION. 
Tiie very great importance of tliis meeting is well known 
to most of our readers, as the parties by whom it was pro¬ 
jected had offered for public competition a far greater 
amount of plate prizes than has taken plane at any former 
exhibition of poultry throughout the United Kingdom. 
There wore two of ten guineas value each, and no less than 
eleven of six guineas each. We can also, for the informa¬ 
tion of our numerous readers, add, that each cup was 
actually worth the sum stated; and a very interesting ad¬ 
dition consisted in the fact that, not only was each engraved 
with the arms of Wigan and the name of the fortunate 
winner, but also an apt design formed a principal feature of 
each cup. Nothing could be more appropriate. The 
Dorking Cup presented a Very conspicuous embossed group 
of Dorkings; the Gome , a trio of that pugnacious variety; 
three Turkeys denoted the cup for the best pen of that 
aristocratic bird; whilst on the Bantam Cup a very self- 
sufficient group of those, elegant pets at once bespoke the 
incomparable Sebriyhts. Geese, Bucks, and Cochins were 
each as suitably represented. 
The whole thirteen Cups were ranged for public inspection 
in a large glass-case, and the. commendations bestowed upon 
them by the visitors were universal. Thera were not any 
money prizes whatever, and by request of the committee the 
Cups only were simply awarded, and “commendations” of 
any kind were dispensed with altogether, however close the 
competition might prove. The Spanish Ten Guinea Cup 
fell to the lot of Mr. Joseph Tate, of Preston. The competi¬ 
tion was, in this class, excellent, Captain Hornby running 
very hard on the winners, whilst the two pens of Mr. James 
Howard pressed more closely still. In this case bad condi¬ 
tion told heavily against the Captain’s birds, the truth being 
this gentleman's fowls have been tried beyond their powers 
of late, travelling almost constantly from exhibition to exhi¬ 
bition. 
In Dorkings it would, indeed, be most invidious to 
particularise,— all were excellent. ; but we never saw the Cup 
birds show so well as at the Wigan Show. Cochins could 
not be extolled for condition, but there were excellent pens 
of most colours; the Kendal birds were, as usual, tri¬ 
umphant. Game were superior as a class; the Cup birds at 
the last Birmingham Exhibition were here defeated, their 
present appearance bearing most sorry comparison with that 
they displayed in last December. The Pencilled Hanihurghs 
were not so good as we anticipated to have found them in 
Lancashire, whilst the same remark is equally appropriate 
to the Spangled birds. Many were in very indifferent 
plumage indeed, though notoriously good in other respects. 
The Black Polands were far a head of their competitors; 
close and regular crests are indispensable to success in 
this variety. The Golden Polands were good birds, but on 
the eve of moulting. The prize Bantams were one of the 
principal attractions of the Exhibition, and only last week 
took the Anerley Sebright Cup, having received eighteen 
guineas in plate, as prizes, in less than a fortnight. They 
were in the highest possible feather. The Turkeys were 
very good, and among the unsuccessful we noticed a 
particularly good pen of the Wild American breed. The 
winning Geese were of monstrous dimensions, the Gander 
251bs. weight, whilst the Geese were very respectable and 
well matched companions. The Rouen Ducks were better 
than we have seen exhibited at any single Show for many 
years; the Aylesbury were also very superior. 
The fowls were exhibited in one single row, and presented, 
perhaps, the most perfect aggregate we have ever witnessed, 
the high price of entry (a half-guinea each pen) weeding 
away all competitors who were not fully assured of the 
excellence of their stock; there was not even an indifferent 
pen in the whole collection. 
Great credit is due to the indefatigable secretary, Mr. Peck, 
for his unceasing efforts to raise the Wigan Poultry Show to 
its present eminence, being himself an amateur of great 
experience. All that could be done for the benefit and 
comfort of the imprisoned poultry was carried out, and our 
opinion is decided that many pens will return to their 
owners in far better health than when received at Wigan. 
The Judges were Mr. Edward Hewitt, of Sparkbrook, 
Birmingham, and Mr. Wm. Smith, of Kent House, Halifax, 
Yorkshire. 
i The following is a list of the winners of the Cups :— 
Spanish.— Joseph Tate, 9, Syke Street, Preston. 
Dorking — \V. Wright, West Bank, Widnes, near Warrington. 
Cochin-China.— G. A. Gelderd, Askrigg, Kendal. 
Game. —Capt. W. W. Hornby, R.N., Knowsley Cottage, Prcscot. 
Pencilled Hamburgu.— W. Wright, West Bank, Widnes, near 
| Warrington. 
Spangled Hamburgh. —Jame3 Dixon, North Park, Horton, near 
Bradford. 
it lack Poland. —G. II. Perkins, Moseley, near Birmingham. 
Poland (other Colours).—J, F. Greenall, Grappenhall Hall, near 
Warrington. 
Bantam.— W. Wright, West Bank, Widnes, near Warrington. 
J Turkeys. —J, B. Itodbard, Aldwick Coart, Langford, near Bristol. 
Geese. —H. Ambler, Watliinson Hall, Halifax. 
Ducks (Ilouen).—H. Laford, Everton, Liverpool. 
Ducks (Aylesbury).—J. K. Fowler, Prebendal Farm, Aylesbury. 
OUR LETTER BOX. 
Spanish Fowls, Ac. {Flora). —As they have lost the feathers down 
the front of their throats, we should treat them as directed for “ White 
Comb ” a short time since. We prefer barley-meal to “ middlings,*’ as 
chicken food. Your Brugmansia shall be attended to next week. 
LONDON MARKETS.— August 11th. 
COVENT GARDEN. 
Supply well kept up. Trade not quite so brisk. Continental impor¬ 
tations have again increased, and consist chiefly of Green Gage and 
Orleans Plums , in good condition, and with them a few parcels of 
Jargonelle Pears, which have made good prices ; owing to the paucity of 
the crop of Pears here, we should presume that the latter will be of 
much assistance. Potato trade heavy, frequent traces of disease to be 
met with. 
FRUIT. 
Apples, kitchen, per 
8s. to 
12s. 
12s. ,, 
20s. 
Is. „ 
3s. 
10s. ,, 
20s. 
10s. „ 
20s. 
6s. „ 
10s. 
,, dessert .... 
Pears, per dozen .... 
Peaches, per doz. .... 
Nectarines, do. 
Pine-apples, per lb... 
HothouseGrapes, per lb. 3s. ,, 6s. 
Strawberries, per lb. 3d. ,, Is. 
Foreign Melons, each 2s. ,, 5s. 
Wall Cherries, per lb. Is. to ls.6d. 
Cherries, per lb. 6d. ,, Is. 
Oranges, per 100- 4s. ,, 10s, 
Seville Oranges, do... 6s.,, 12 s 
Lemons. 6s. ,, 12s 
Almonds, per lb. .... 2s. ,, —s 
Nuts, Filberts, per 
100lbs. 50s. ,, 60s 
,, Cobs, ditto.. 80s. ,,100s 
,, Barcelona,per 
bushel. 20s. 
Nuts, Brazil, ditto.. 12s. 
Walnuts, per 1000 .. 9s 
22s. 
14s. 
_ 12s. 
Chestnuts, per bushel 15s. ,, 24s. 
VEGETABLES. 
Cabbages,perdoz. Is. to Is. 6d. 
,, Red,perdoz. 2s. to 4s. 
Cauliflowers, each.... 9d. ,, Is. 
Brocoli, per bdle. 3d. ,, 6d. 
Savoys. Is. ,, 2s. 
Greens, per doz. bnch. 4s. ,, 6s. 
Spinach, per sieve .. — ,, 4s. 
French Peas, per bshl. 6s. ,, 10s. 
French Beans, per 100 Is. ,, 2s. 
Carrots, per bunch .. 9d. ,, Is. 
Parsnips, per doz^ .. 6d. to 9d. 
Beet, per doz... ,.t. Is. to Is 6d. 
Potatoes, per cwt. .. 3s. to 6s. 
„ Frame, per lb. 6d. ,, od. 
,, New, per lb .. 2d. ,, 4d. 
Onions, Y’ng,per b’nch. 4d. ,, 6d. 
,, Old, per bushel 5s. ,, /s. 
Turnips, per bunch.. 9d. „ is. 
Leeks, per bunch .... 2d. „ 3d. 
Garlic, per lb. 6d. ,, 8d. 
Horseradish, per 
bundle. Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d. 
Shallots, per lb. 6d. to Is. 
Lettuce, Cos, each .... 6d. ,, 8r . 
,, Cabbageperdoz. 2d. ,, 3d. 
Endive, perscore .. ls.6d. „ 2 s. 
Celery, per bunch.. .. 9d. to ls.6d. 
Radishes,Turnip, per 
dozen bunches .... — to 6d. 
Water Cresses, ditto.. 6d. ,, 9 d. 
Small Salad, per 
punnet. 2d. ,, 3d. 
Artichokes, per lb. — ,, 2d. 
Asparagus, perbdl. 3s. ,, 5s. 
Sea-kale,per punnet .. — ,, — 
Rhubarb, per bundle 3d. ,, 6d. 
Cucumbers, each. 4d. ,, 6d. 
Mushrooms,perpot Is. 6d. ,, 2s. 
HERBS. 
Basil, per bunch .... 4d.to 6d. 
Marjoram, per bunch 4d. ,, 6d. 
Fennel, per bunch .. 2 d. ,, 3d. 
Savory, per bunch .. 2d. ,, 3d. 
Thyme, per bunch .. 2d. ,, 3d. 
Parsley, per bunch ., 2d. ,, 3d. 
Mint, per bunch .. .. 2d. ,, 4d. 
Green Mint ........ 6d. ,, Sd. 
POULTRY. 
There has been a short supply of Poultry during the week, and prices 
for really fresh things have, consequently, improved. The causes, pro¬ 
bably, are hot weather and harvest work. 
LargeFowls 6s. Od. to 6s. 6d. each. 
Smaller do 4s. Od. to 5s Od. ,, 
Chickens.. 2s. 6d. to 3s. Od. ,, 
Geese.6s. Od. to /s. Od. ,, 
Ducks.... 2s. 9<i. to 38. 6d. ,, 
Pigeons .8d. to 9d. each. 
Quails .... 2s. Od. to 2s. 3d. ,, 
Leverets .. 4s. Od. to 5s. Od. ,, 
Turkey Poults.. 4s. to 6s. 6d. ,, 
Rabbits. ... 0s. Od. to Us. Od. ,, 
London: Printed by Hugh Barclay, Winchester High-street, in 
the Parish of Saint Mary Kalendar ; and Published for the Proprietors 
at Tiif. Cottage Gakdenkr Office, No. 20, Paternoster Row, in 
the Parish of Christ Church, City of London.—August 12, 185(j. 
