October 17. 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
47 
grounds in tlie rear of the Royal Hotel, at Asliby-de-la- 
Zouch, a spot most suitable for the purpose. The sparkling 
of fountains in the glare of the midday sun, the gay attire 
of the numerous groups of fashionably-dressed ladies, the 
enlivening strain of the Ashby band (that made the welkin 
echo to its martial airs), each, and all, tended to increase 
the attractions of this general holiday, and produce a 
revenue, that if it is wisely appointed, will render future ex¬ 
hibitions of this Society most important ones. In proof of 
the deep interest felt by all classes in this neighbourhood, 
it may be mentioned, that five hundred sat down to a public 
dinner in a pavillion specially erected for this purpose, 
among whom were many individuals of title, and more than 
150 of the fair sex. But we must turn to “ the poultry 
tent.” The general arrangements were very light and con¬ 
venient, and were, consequently, the subject of much public 
approval; the avenues were much wider than usual, and, 
therefore, the inspection of the poultry was very ready and 
convenient; though the placing of water-fowls in the upper 
tiers is highly censurable, as it gives anything but a cleanly 
appearance to the birds below, and speedily becomes a source 
of grievous annoyance to female visitors. With these few 
remarks, we will proceed to a short review. 
The Spanish were very indifferent. The Grey Dorkinys 
were a most excellent class. Many pens of first-rate birds, 
however, were badly matched; indeed, failing in prize¬ 
taking too often arises from this cause. The first - prize 
(chicken) were, contrariwise, well matched, and birds of 
which their spirited owner “ might well be proud.” The 
Buff Cochins have very rarely been excelled, and the 
winning groups prove how attention is now being paid to 
character as well as colour. Here were many lots all that 
could be desired, whether form or colour be taken into con¬ 
sideration, consequently, they had crowds of admirers, and 
several pens were “ claimed” at the prices demanded. The 
White Cochins were the most indifferent class we remember 
to have seen exhibited. In the Game wero some glorious 
birds, their plumage (just moulted) being lustrous and per¬ 
fect. The prize Duckwings were unusually good; but the 
manner in which the comb had been cut of the cocks was 
liighly calculated to injure the appearance of an otherwise 
faultless bird. The Hamburghs were very good specimens; 
and although numerous, not one single “hen tailed cock" 
competed. In the first-prize (silver-pencilled) pen, the cock 
possessed, undoubtedly, the best tail we ever witnessed, and 
the whole pen were exceedingly clear in their markings and 
general plumage. They quickly changed ownership, and we 
heard were again re-sold at a high premium. The Ducks, 
the Aylesbury, the Labrador, and the Call-Ducks, were very 
good, but the Rouens were very indifferent apologies for that 
excellent variety. Perhaps never were such weighty Geese 
exhibited, the least of the thirteen competing pens being 
perfect giants : two pens were, however, very properly “ dis¬ 
qualified (by the judge, Mr. Edward Hewitt, of Birmingham), 
all the birds being ganders.” The first-prize Turkeys ( poults) 
were living proofs of the result of care and attention in 
breeding, wondrous as to size, matched perfectly, and if 
success still attends them, they will always be dangerous 
competitors when at perfect maturity. 
We append the prize list. 
POULTRY. 
Class 1.—Spanish. —For the best Cock and two Hens, of any age. — 
First prize withheld. Second prize, The Countess of Chesterfield, 
Bretby Hall. Third prize, Mr. John Hall Joyce, Blackfordby. Five 
competitors. 
Class 2.—Dorking (Coloured). — For the best Cock and two Hens, of 
any age.—First prize, Mr. R. Swinnerton, Nuneaton. Age, cock one 
year and six months, pullets six months. Second prize, The Countess 
of Chesterfield, Bretby Hall. Age, five months and twelve days. Third 
prize, The Countess of Chesterfield. Age, one year and six months. 
Highly Commended. —The Countess of Chesterfield. Commended. —Mr. 
John Huskins, Wilnecote. Twenty-two competitors. 
Class 3.—Dorking (White).—For the best Cock and two Hens, of 
any age.—First prize, Mr. J. Jennens, Moseley, Birmingham. Age, 
three years. Second prize, Mr. J. Jennens. Age, three years and six 
months. Third prize, Mr. R. Choyce, Braracote. Age, four months. 
Three competitors. 
Class 4.—Cociiin-Ciiina (Coloured).—For the best Cock and two 
Hens, of any age.—First prize, Mr. T. Robinson, Burton-upon-Trent. 
Age, four months. Second prize, Mr. T. Robinson. Age, five months. 
Third prize, Mr. J. Newbold, Burton-upon-Trent. Age, fifteen weeks. 
Highly Commended. —Mr. T. Challis, Bretby Gardens, and Mr. J. 
Harlow, Moseley, Commended. —Mr. T. Challis, and Mr. T. Clarke, 
Whitwick. Forty-six competitors. 
Class 5. Cochin-China (White). — For the best Cock and two Hens, 
of any age.—First and second prizes not awarded. Third prize, Mrs. 
Mary Cooper, Lutterworth. Age, five months. Ten competitors. 
Class 6.—Game (White, Piles, and Light Colours).—For the best 
Cock and two Hens, of any age.—First prize, Mr. J. Taverner, Hartshill. 
Age, five months and twenty days. Second prize, Mr. J. Wright, Ashby- 
de-la-Zouch. Third prize, Captain Costobadie, Thurcaston, Lough¬ 
borough. Commended— Mr. J. Buckley, Desford, Leicester. Fifteen 
competitors. 
Class 7. — Game (Red, and other Dark Colours).—For the best Cock 
and two Hens.—First prize, Mr. Guy Nadin, Stapenhill, Burton-upon- 
Trent. Second prize, Mr. John Wright, Ashby-de-la-Zouch. Third 
prize, Mr. J. Jennens, Mosely, Birmingham. Sixteen competitors. 
Class 8.—Malay.— For the best Cock and two Hens, of any age.— 
The first and third prizes were withheld. Second prize, Mr. W. Harrison 
Bagworth Park. Two competitors. 
Class 9.—Hamburgh (Gold and Silver-pencilled).—For the best Cock 
and two Hens.—First prize, Mr. H Ison, Swepstone, Ashby-de-la-Zouch. 
Second prize, Mr. John Mallaby Baker, Dordon, Atherstone. Third 
prize, Mr J. Sharpe Spencer, Hinckley. Highly Commended.— Mr. J. 
Faulkner, Bretby. Commended.— Mr. J. Sharpe Spencer, Hinckley. 
Class 10.—Hamburgh (Gold and Silver-spangled).—For the best 
Cock and two Hens, of any age.—First prize, Mr. J. Sharpe Spencer, 
Hinckley. Second prize, Mr. J. Sharpe Spencer. Third prize, Mr. 
Joseph Jennens. Eight competitors. 
Class 11.—Poland. —For the best Cock and two Hens.—First prize, 
Mr. J. Ball, Glascote, Tamworth. Second prize, Mr. Guy Nadin, Sta¬ 
penhill, Burton-upon-Trent. Third prize, Mrs. Robert Bodington, Chase 
Lodge, Kenilworth. Fourteen competitors. 
Class 12. —Barn Door.— For the best Cock and two Hens, of any 
age.—First prize, Mr. W. Harrison, Bagworth Park. Three competitors. 
Class 13. — Any other distinct breed. —For the best Cock and 
two Hens, of any age.—First prize, Rev. G. Calvert, Bceby. (Brahma 
Pootra.) Second prize, Mr. J. Harlow, Moseley. (Silky or Negro.) 
Third prize, Mr. W. Dester, Seckington. (Black Game.) Twelve com¬ 
petitors. 
Class 14.— Ducks (White Aylesbury).—For the best Drake and two 
Ducks, of any age.—First prize, Mr. J. S. Spencer, Hinckley. Second 
prize, Mr. Jennens, Moseley. Third prize. Countess of Chesterfield. 
Highly Commended. —Mr. J. Jennens, and Mr. J. S. Spencer. 
Class 15. — Ducks (Any other variety). —For the best Drake and two 
Ducks, of any age.—First prize, Mr. J. Baker, Atherstone. (Black.) 
Second prize, Miss E. S. Perkins, Sutton Coldfield. (Call.) Third prize, 
Miss Perkins. Highly Commended. —Mr. R. Choyce, Bramcote Hall, 
and Miss Perkins. Ten competitors. 
Class 16.—Geese. —For the best Gander and two Geese, of any age. 
—First prize, Mr. J. Faulkner, Bretby. (White.) Second prize, C. Ii. 
Colvile, Esq., M.P., Lullington. Third prize, Mr. E. Taverner, Cal- 
dccote Hill. Highly Commended. —The Countess Howe, Hon. Miss 
Russell, Mr. John Wright, Ashby, and Mr. W. Choyce, Upton Park. 
Thirteen competitors. 
Class 17* — Turkeys. —For the best Cock and two Hens, of any age.— 
First prize, The Right Hon. the Earl Howe. (Dark.) Second prize, 
Mr. J. W. Faux, Coleorton. (Black Norfolk.) Third prize, Mr. Faux, 
Twycross. Four competitors. 
Class 18. —Guinea Fowls.— For the best Pair.—First prize, Mr. J. 
Ward, Blackfordy, the only competitor. 
Class 19.— For the best Cock and two Hens, of any age.—First prize, 
Mrs. S. Lockyer, Heather. Second prize, Mr. J. Buckley, Desford. 
Third prize, C. R. Colvile, Esq., M.P. Highly Commended. —Hon. 
Miss Russell, Kirkby Mallory. Thirteen competitors. 
Class 20.— Pigeons.—Pouters. —For the best Pair.—First prize, Mr. 
C. R. Titterton, Birmingham. Two competitors. Mr. Titterton also 
took the first prize for Carriers, Tumblers, and Fantails. In the latter 
class (23) Mr. Jennens, Moseley, was highly commended. 
Class 24. — Any other distinct breed.— For the best Pair.—First 
prize, Mr. Titterton. Six competitors. 
Rabbits.— No entries. 
LABOURERS* POULTRY. 
Class 28. —For the best Cock and one Hen, of any age.—First prize, 
Thomas Bull, servant to Mr. T. Stevenson, Snareston. Second prize, 
William Smith, servant to Mr. W. Harrison. Two competitors. 
When we state that 240 pens of poultry were staged, our 
readers will judge of the extent of the exhibition. Of its 
excellence only those who had the good fortune to see it 
can form any correct idea. We may, however, say, that we 
heard it stated more than once, and that by eminent con¬ 
noisseurs, that the poultry would have done credit to any 
Metropolitan exhibition. The Dorkinys were especially ad¬ 
mired, tlnd the judge, Mr. Hewitt, of. Sparkbrook, Bir¬ 
mingham (no mean authority), said, that some .of them 
were equal to any specimens he had seen before. It has 
been said that the poultry mania is on the wane. The 
reverse was our impression, in viewing the fine array of 
plumage, form, and diversity of species presented at the 
Ashby show. But whether on the wane or not, the taste 
and rivalry which have produced such birds as those then 
exhibited, have enriched the country, and increased its en¬ 
joyments to an extent which, without these exhibitions, 
cg aid never have been dreamt of. 
