200 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
Decembeii IB. 
We cau speak highly of the Oolden-jteneilled Ham- 
burghs, whicli wore a capital class, and which appear to 
have been bred more carefully than the Silvers. The 
Rev. G. M. Lnckock, IMrs. W. C. Worrall, and Mr. 
•Tosiah B. Glume, took jirizesin order for old birds; while 
the chicken jirizcs were awarded to Mrs. Worrall, Mr. 
Worsey, and Mr. Gilbert Grcenall. 
In almost all our reports we have to mention the same i 
names in the Spangled class. Thus, in adult birds, Mr. j 
Charles Horsfall, Mr. John Andrew, mid Mr. James 1 
Dixon, were successful; while younger birds placed Mr. | 
Dixon first, followed by Messrs. James Bamford and 
Mr. John Hill. i 
Ill the Silver-pencilled well known names competed, 
but were somewhat transposed from the usual order of 
this class. Mrs. Dixon, of Bradford, stood foremost in 
old birds, i\lr. E. Archer and Miss Tiiley followed; Mr. 
Cox, of Brailsford, claimed first honours in chickens, 
followed by Mr. G. Botham and IMr. Archer. 
The beautiful Silver-spangled birds of these classes were 
well represented. The first prizes were awarded to the Rev. 
G. M. Lnckock and Mrs. Iiyon Eellowes; second, to 
Miss Tilley and Mr. Bill; third, to Mr. Glume and iMr. 
Gilbert Grcenall. 
Wo have next to do with Polands, llacJc, with white 
crests, and here Mr. Edwards was forced to lower his 
colours, taking second prize in each class; while the 
first were awarded to Mr. G. Perkins and Mr. T. 
Battye; and third, to Mr. Guest and Miss Bury. 
These birds were really beautiful. ! 
Eew classes have improved more of late years than 
the Oold and Silver Polands, more especially the latter; j 
and their beauty w'as the theme of constant remark. An 
old and deserving exhibitor, iMr. C. Coleridge, of Eton, 
took the first prize in the Golden variety, followed by 
names of note—Mr. Conyers and MissS^vian; it Avas, 
therefore, no mean triumph. Birds of 1855 contributed 
laurels to the yards of Mr. Jeffery, Mr. Lawson, and 
]\lr. John Mills, Jun. 
Messrs. Dutton, Rowland, and Vivian took the 
prizes for varieties, and Mr. Coleridge for chickens. 
Next came the aristocrats of the iioultry-yard, the ; 
Spanish. Here, Mr. Henry, of Manchester, achieved a : 
tiiumph of which he may well be proud. Mr. Davies, 
of Hounslow, took the other prizes, and the first prize j 
for chickens. Mr. Brandish, and the Rev. H. Donne 
took second and third. Both these classes were excel¬ 
lent. We must refer to the list for commendations; the 1 
names and numbers must speak for the severity of the ! 
trial to which every bird was exposed. ! 
Jt is dillicult to speak too bighly of the next classes, , 
i\\e Dorliings. If the Spanish are the aristocrats of the 
yard, the Dorkings are the stern and useful stuff of , 
which valuable members of society are made; and their ' 
claims to the distinction of being entitled to the useful - 
and valuable ^iroperties which call for prolonged popu- j 
larity, were sutliciently indicated by tlie large number j 
of entries and the excellence of the specimens exhibited. ' 
In the Ihrking classes all the giants met, and some 
of the aspirants to fame came out advantageously. All 
may he proud, for it was no ordinary struggle. Birds 
which, two years since, would have “ walked over” for 
the cup, were here content to be commended. Whether 
we consider the numbers exhibited, the celebrity of the : 
owners, or the quality of these birds, we say, unhesi- ^ 
tatingly, this class has never been equalled. Mr. I 
Davies, of Spring Grove, gained the first prize and the i 
cup, adding one more triumph to the number already I 
achieved by that gentleman during the year. The Rev. 
Mr. Boys was second, and Mr. Lodcr third. Jt was almost 
painful to see pens of exceeding merit with only “ Highly 
Commended” written over them; but what could be done? 
Three prizes had to be distributed among fifty deserving , 
pens. We think that, while this may add to the glory 
of the successful, it may also comfort those who were 
less fortunate. 
The White Dorkings are a rising class, and gaining 
that which they have long wanted,—which is size. All 
the prizes in these classes went to names already distin¬ 
guished. 
Cochin-China fowls next came in order on the list; 
and we think we are justified in saying, that the adult 
birds were better than we have seen for some time. The 
Rev. S. Donne was lirst on the list, and deservedly; 
as ho showed an unusually good pen, which gained him 
the Silver Cup. We believe this is the third gained by 
these celebrated birds. Wo hope and think these birds are 
looking up. They were made, at one time, speculative 
merchandise, irrespective of their properties as fowls; and, 
although they will not now realize unreasonable prices, 
still, we think their Stirling qualities should ensure them 
the popularity they deserve. The White Cochins were 
not numerous, but there were good birds among them. 
Tliero were good birds among the Grouse and Partridge 
Cochins, as will be believed, when it is seen a very much 
respected exhibitor, Mr. Punchard, got only a high 
commendation. There were some changes of position 
among the varieties in the class for old birds. The 
Black were weak both in numbers and quality ; and we 
think, unless a much better competition demand other¬ 
wise, the class should be abolished, and the prizes added 
to others. It seems unreasonable that Judges should 
have the same number and amount of prizes to divide 
between five pens of sorry Black Cochins as among two 
and three hundreds of excellent Dorkings. The rewards 
to the latter might be doubled bv this alteration, and the 
importance and merits of this class well deserve it. 
And now to the Brahma Pootras. Those rvere scarcely 
equal to the birds of last year, if we except the prize 
pens. Mr. Davies’ old birds were, as usual, the first in 
the class. The first prize for Chickens was given to a 
beautiful pen belonging to the Rev. G. Calvert. Jt may 
almost be said that these birds have not yet justified 
either their friends or their enemies ; while they liave not 
realized the expectations of the first, they have most 
certainly falsified the predictions of the second. 
We are now brought to the classes for Single Cocks, 
and, for the first time since their institution, we do not 
think the general aspect of the pens was lessened in 
merit to enable their owners to gain laurels here. 
We scarcely need say the Game classes were of the 
first order; and the pens were few indeed which did not 
deserve commendation. The usual names will be found 
among the prize-takers, though, as in other classes, they 
are somewhat transposed, compared with former years. 
The spread of poultry knowledge, and the sale of eggs 
from the best strains, will make it more ditiicult every 
year for even the best exhibitor to take many prizes in 
one class. It would be impossible to do justice to the 
beautiful birds in these classes. 
The Malays were very good; but Ave think exhibitors 
Avill do Avell to be very particular in choosing cocks Avith 
perfect combs. 
The Furious cl</ss did not shoAv as many monstrosities 
as usual; and the most meritorious were considered to 
be the Cuckoos, Serai Tii-ooks,'Andalusian, and Calcutta 
Jungle. 
Gold and Silvcr-laced Bantams next claimed the at¬ 
tention of the Judges, and good birds “plentiful as 
blackberries,” Avhile some Avere unusually meritorious. 
Our well-known friend, Mr. Hewitt, took first for golden, 
and Avell deserved it; Mr. Hincks took second. !Mr. 
JiCno took both prizes in silver, hard run by iMr. Hewitt. 
We did not think the Blacks and Whites as good as 
usual. The Cocks of these breeds should have long, 
sickle-feathered tails, and many of the birds were defi¬ 
cient in this respect. Among the other varieties, we 
are bound to mention the Duckwiugs of Mr. Forrest. 
