December ^3. 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
227 
interest appeared to be centred—so niucli so, that it was 
really diftioult to obtain time and space sufficient to get a 
good view of them. In eveiy show the “ observed of all 
observers,” here, where the best of each sort are congre¬ 
gated together, we have a right to expect the best of these 
also. Hence the interest they excited, which was certainly 
by no means disappointed. In one word, we c.an say nothing 
for the buffi class which has not been said and proved by 
the preference everywhere accorded to them, although we 
really do not think this class was so good, as a whole, as the 
i corresponding class of last year. 
, With regard to the dark varieties, we are not of those 
I who, on the one hand, decry them; nor do we, on the 
I other, think them, as some do, either more hardy or supe- 
; nor in weight to their hght-coloured relatives. In truth, 
we think there are equally line kinds of the buff, the cinna¬ 
mon, and the dark varieties ; and we know that it is difficult 
to ffind chickens, of any breed, more easy to be reared than 
are the buff Shanghaes. For those who reside near large 
towns we might recommend the darker birds, on the ground 
that it is better to keep good birds of a colour which is not 
so easily soiled, than to have birds of better quality, yet of a 
shade so light that they cannot be kept, in that locality, in ! 
perfect purity of plumage. 
Reverting to the prize list, we find that in the buff class 
of older birds Mr. Sturgeon maintains his old position—a 
higher ho cannot attain. Mr. Cattell, of Moseley AVake 
Green, obtained the second prize; and Mr. Steggall, of 
Weymouth, the third. In the corresponding class of young 
I fowls of 1852, the first prize was awarded to Mr. Cattell; 
the second to Thomas Roscoe (Captain Hornby’s servant) ; 
and the third to Mr. Punchard. It was to the awards in 
this latter class that the greatest exception was taken ; and, 
after much examination, we are bound to declare our opinion 
in favoirr of the malcontents. 
Prizes were also given for the best pair of buff, cinnamon, 
or brown : the first to Dr. Gwynne, of Sandbach ; the second 
to Mr. Punchard; and the tliii'd to Mr. H. G. Smith. Mr. 
I’unohard also obtained a commendation for what was 
thought by many the best pen of the four; and this opinion 
was partly borne out by the fact, that the pair of birds were 
sold for k25. AVe wish Sir. Punchard as good a sale on tlie 
4th of January as that which Mr. Sturgeon was fortunate 
enough to secure. 
The next class, in order, are the Malays. These have 
hitherto been a favourite fowl ; and certainly there is a 
stateliness and an appearance of high-breeding about a true 
Alalay which is xiai'ticularly commanding. AVe cannot hut 
regret that so handsome and pm-o a lireed of fowls should, 
all at once, have become nearly extinct; although we must 
admit, that in point of utility they are not eiiual to the 
Cochins, the Spanish, or the Dorkings. 
Ne.xt in order, come the typo of courage—the old I'luglish 
Game. 'The days of cock-fighting are happily at an end in this 
country, but we can still admire the martial appearance and 
1 bearing of the different sub-varieties of those truly “game” 
birds which were wont, in old times, to contend in the cock- 
I pit. Porbeautyandvariety of plumage, closeness of feathers, 
! and purposes of utility combined, there is, wc really believe, 
i no one of the smaller varieties of our domestic poultry pre¬ 
ferable to the Game. In the northern counties, the pitmen 
and cottagers prefer them to all other sorts within their 
reach; and the degree of perfection to which they are 
brought, if not so great as in the times when fortunes and 
estates depended upon the result of their encounters, is still 
considerable. To us they are interesting, as one of the 
“ poor man’s fowls; ” and sure we are that a cottager can 
keep none upon less food, or to greater advantage, while they 
will never shame the poultry-yard of a gentleman. For 
the numerous prizes awarded, we refer to the list which 
we subjoin; and we think we may say, without fear of 
contradiction, that the Game classes were the best in the 
exhibition. 
The PcucUled Ilamhimjh next claim our attention. These, 
like the Game, are, though in different localities, the favoui'- 
iles of the cottagers. In the AVest Riding of Yorkshire and 
parts of Lancashire, there is scarcely a cottage which cannot 
I boast of its few “ Ghittaprats,” as they arc there called. As 
j they may not be known to many of our readers, wc may add 
that there is not a prettier race of fowls extant than the 
Pencilled Hamburghs, whether golden or silver,—nor one, 
which, in proportion to its size, is of more real use to the 
farmer or the cottager. AVe catniot, however, say we think 
the collection of these pretty fowls was first rate. The 
golden were better than the silver ones—the latter, indeed, 
would not bear comparison with those exhibited at the 
small shows in the Yorkshire towns. 
Following naturally in order come the Spangled Hum- 
hnrghs, called in Yorkshire, where they also are principally 
cultivated, “gold and silver pheasants.” These, again, 
are beautifully feathered kinds ; and, like the Pencilled vari¬ 
eties, capital layers ; and, therefore, most useful to the poor 
man. Our Shanghao and Spanish fanciers would scai'cely 
suppose that their poorer brethren in Yorkshire will discirss 
the merits and demerits of their Ghittaprats, or gold or 
silver pheasants, and point out, to a feather, the difference 
between them, with all the zest and interest which they 
' themselves bestow upon their own more costly and gorgeous 
favourites. And woe betide the judge, who, at one of the 
I Yorkshire shows, should make a mistake in deciding between 
I the pens of rivals, each as competent, or more so, to exer¬ 
cise a judgment as himself. 
Of the Polish fowls, which are next in rotation, so much 
has been said of late, that, without meaning at all to dis¬ 
parage them, we shall not be at all surprised to find that 
some of our friends, who have purchased them of the 
dealers, may discover, before long, that they have got con¬ 
siderably less than their “ pennyworth for their penny.” 
Yet the Polands, of which there are several tolerably distinct 
varieties, are exceedingly pretty, and are, moreover, for their 
size, useful fowl. The plumage of the blacks, which almost 
equals that of the Spanish in brilliancy, is contrasted to 
advantage with the pretty white crest which is common to 
both sexes. 'The Golden and Silver Polands have the latter 
characteristic in the same imrfection ; and although the 
contrast between the black plumage and white crest does 
not hold good, it is more than made up for by the beautiful 
markings of the varieties now under notice. The Polands 
are, by the efforts of the dealers, rising in favour ; and 
iilthough we ai’e not prepared to say that it is not deservedly 
so, yet we are sure that the prices which have been given 
for them are perfectly ridiculous, and such as never can be 
maintained. For the several prizes awarded, we refer to the 
list, only adding that the I’olands, as a whole, are decidedly 
an improvement upon the last year’s show, and added con¬ 
siderably to the interest of the exhibition. 
Of the Bantams, generally one of the prettiest features (ff 
a large gathering like this, wo shall only say that they were 
decidedly inferior in quality to those shown at many of the 
minor exhibitions. 
AVe do not think that either the Geese or Turkeys were so 
good as those exhibited on former occasions. 
Of Bucks, some good specimens were exhibited; and the 
Aylesburys shown by Lord Hill were well worthy of the 
first prize awarded to them, as were the Rouens of Mr. 
Charles Tunchard, which, in their class, obtained a like 
premium. 
Fpoii the whole, wo do not hesitate to say that the Show 
of 1852 was not, in point of general merit, at alt superior to 
its predecessor. AVe doubt if so many good birds were 
shown; and we are srue there were more of a decidedly 
inferior character. There are several reasons, combining 
probably, to produce this result. AVe have already adverted, 
not withoirt pain, to some of them ; and we submit, in con¬ 
clusion, to the managers of future anniversaries, that the 
time for which the birds are kept is really too long. If one 
day was given up, so that the birds need not he brought in 
until the Alonday evening, two days would be gained to 
them; and wo hope and believe nothing would be lost to 
the exhibition or to the public. Sure we are that exhibitors 
wmfid be better satisfied; and wo are strongly inclined to 
think that the owners of many good birds, who now keep 
them at home, would, if this and the other objections to 
which wo have, in no unfriendly spirit, thought it our duty 
to advert, were obviated, no longer object to send them to 
Birmingham. If the Show is to be kept up at all upon the 
scale it has already attained, to say nothing of improvement, 
most of these points must necessarily force themselves upon 
the attention of those in office. 'This is our only object in 
putting them forward; and wc very sincerely trust that all 
