THE COTTAGE GAEDENER. 
October 9, 
This has been the unvarying history of cattle shows for 
many years, and it is our own fault if we do not benefit 
by the experience we may glean from them. We have 
a beaten track to guide us. It is no use to have a better 
breed than any one else, unless it is generally known, 
and it is only at an exhibition it can prove its supe¬ 
riority, and at the same time publish its merits. 
I 
THE PROTEST AT ANERLEY POULTRY 
SHOW. 
For the information of your correspondent “Fairplay;” 
also for exhibitors of poultry in general (although not as an 
answer to “ Fairplay’s ” inquiry), I beg to explain the facts of 
the case, and thus make known the manner in v.-liieh I have 
hcen treated in reference to the protest made by me on 
the 28th of August, against the pen of Dorking fowls in 
class 4, No. 77. 
The 4th Rule of the Show declares, that the age of the 
chicken must be accurately stated; and in Rule 5, that fowls 
entered in a wrong class will be excluded from taking a 
prize. Thus the subject of my complaint is against a pen of 
fowls entered ns only thirty weeks old, and awarded the 
first prize. The male bird and one of the hens (not 
cliicken), I can prove were falsely entered. Roth of tliem 
were once ray property; and I can prove that the age of the 
cock was eleven months, having been hatched on the 2nd of 
September, IB-id, and that the hen was still older. 
On ray entering the Show, I immediately recognised the 
two fowls, and speedily entered a protest in writing with the 
secretary to the effect:—“that I could i^rove the male bird 
in pen 77, class 4, to have been hatched in the year 1854.” 
In furtherance of this, I attended the Show on the 29th 
of August, with a witness to prove the truth of ray state¬ 
ments ; and after writing and making inquiries as to when 
the committee would meet to consider the matter, and give 
me an opportunity of proving the veracity of ray protest, I 
was informed by one of the secretaries (Mr. Wells), and 
before a witness, “ that there could be nothing done in the 
matter until the judges had again consulted.” I attended 
again on the third day, fully prepared to meet the case, but 
no committee was convened, nor could I learn that it had 
even been mentioned to any person, or persons, forming 
such committee, and the replies given to my inquiry were 
both vague and unsatisfactory. 
()n my return home, I addressed a note to the secretaries, 
and re(iuested them to lay the case before the committee 
immediately, and communicate the result to me. In answer 
to which, I received the following replyviz., “ That my 
protest had been laid before the committee on the 28th of 
August, and that they' were instructed to state, that the 
decision of the judges, in all cases, was final and conclusive, 
and that the matter of necessity fell to the, ground (!) Ac.” 
Thus positively denying tlieir former statements to me at 
the Show on the 28th, 29th, and dOlh of August, before a 
witness. I was then told that nothing had been done in the 
matter; but on the ]2th day of September, I am informed 
that my case fell to the ground on tlie 28th of the preceding 
month; and, at the same time, tliey endeavour to charge 
me with differing from my first statement, Ac. 
Since receiving the above reply, I again wrote to the 
secretaries on the 15th of September, requesting them to be 
so kind as to send me the address of the gentlemen that 
formed the committee before whom my case had been 
heard, Ac.; but, as yet, I have received no answer. 
Such are the facts of the matter; such is the treatment 
with which my protest has been met; and such the injustice 
I have suffered. 
Many are the communications that I have received from 
various gentlemen (exhibitors of poultry) for information, 
similar to the inquiry of your correspondent “ Fairplay,” on 
tlie subject of the Protest. My answer is,—Please read the 
foregoing, and draw your own conclusions. 
I can only add, that I am still prepared to prove the age 
of the fowls, confirraed by undeniable witnesses, such as 
can identify them from amongst 50U other fowls, and give 
such proof of their age as will dispel all doubts iu tlie 
minds of every just person ; and until I liave had the 
opportunity of sustaining the charge before a fair and 
impartial tribunal, I can but reiteiate, that favour and 
partiality have overruled justice and truth.— James Lewky, 
Ilandcross, Scplcmher 29th, 
NORTH A MPTONS HIRE AGRICULTUR AL 
SOCIETY’S POULTRY SHOWC 
We like to attend a Poultry Show lield iu connection with 
an Agricultural Meeting, as they harmonize one with anotlier, 
and mutually assist each otlier. It is also a step in the right 
direction. Cows, horses, sheep, and pigs, have long been 
honoured with prizes; next came swedes, turnips, cabbages, 
and mangold ; then Poultry. Due attention to Poultry is 
yet in its infancy, and we firmly believe the time will come, 
when it will rank among the most cerlain sources of profit 
on a farm. Rut prejudice is still strong, and many a man 
who makes it the business of the year to take tlie first 
prize, or the silver medal, for a pen of sheep, thinks it infra 
dip. to show Poultiy. 
We like a general holiday; and such is an Agricultural 
Meeting. We enjoy the honest pride of the men who have 
brought the best bull, cow, sheep, or horse. How they lion¬ 
ize among the less fortunate! We were lately w'atching the 
progress of one or two men who had charge of the prize 
horses, and who were returning after the Show. They were 
way-laid at every public-house, treated by the landlord, and 
eloquent to the admiring crowd on the merits of the fa¬ 
voured animal. At each halt they became more excited; 
until, at last, it was a sti-eteli of the imagination to suppose, 
or believe, they w'ere in a state to take care of their charges. 
The same happens with Poultry. If it is known that a 
prize pen is lying for half-an-hour at a railway station, or 
is packed at the back of a cart or van, every possible con¬ 
trivance is set to work to get a sight of them. If some of 
the old Dutch and Flemish painters could return to life, 
what glorious subjects they would find at an Agricultural 
Meeting! 
We have now to say a few words on the Show held at 
Kettering, iu connection with the Northamptonshire Agri¬ 
cultural Society, We observed one thing Avell worthy of 
imitation wherever it is intended to hold a Show' witliout 
incurring the expense of coops. Every exhibitor is bound 
to send his birds iu a coop, made after the pattern of one 
supplied by the Society. It is very room}', made of wicker, 
and open at tlie top and at each end. A long platform is 
erected, the whole length of the ground, four feet high; on 
this the cages are placed, and they have this advantage, that 
when, as w'as the case in the afternoon, the Show is much 
crow'ded, the birds are equally well seen from either side. 
The coops are supplied at 2s. fid. each, and are useful at all 
times in a yard. Dorkimjs were the principal feature, and a 
better Show' of them is seldom seen. There w'ere four 
classes of them ; and an old Dorking nanna, the Rev. F. 
Thursby, took the first prize in each. That it was not an 
easy victory, may be known from the fact, that among other 
prize-takers were Lady Isham, Lord Spencer, Dr. Prichard, 
Mr. Langlands, Ac. 
We fancy there were birds here that will be heard of 
hereafter, and they will be strong who beat them. 
There w'ere good Cochin and Game Fowls ; also very good 
Ducks, but being a purely Agricultural Show there was not 
the same variety of classes met with as elsewliere. 
There were some excellent Brahma Poolras, 
]Mr. Daily, of London, acted as judge. 
BIRMINGHAM COLUMBARIAN SOCIETY’S 
FIRST EXHIBITION. 
The entries for this Exhibition number nearly 200 pens, 
and many of them from several of the first fanciers of 
Loudon, Rirmingham, and other places. Among the entries 
are choice specimens of Spots, Frilled Racks, Silk Lace, 
Crested, Raid Heads, Swallow's, Yellow'Rrunswickers, Ac.; 
besides a large uumbev of well-kfiowu prize birds ia all the 
general classes. 
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