THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
115 
; November 14. 
always oxert an influence of this description ; and the 
1 tone of aggrieved disappointment in which such defeats 
j are too often spoken of, is, therefore, most improperly 
| indulged in. On this head, we think no more need now 
; he said, cause and effect being both of such easy recog¬ 
nition. But the standard of Poultry merit, we must 
j' certainly admit, is far from being so uniform as 
j exhibitors have a right to expect, and the attainment 
1 of the main objects of Poultry Societies undoubtedly 
requires. Here, again, a subdivision must be made, for 
such differences of opinion are not limited to what 
should be regarded as the excellencies of the different 
breeds; but the features that should lead to disqualifi¬ 
cation are very far from meeting with an unanimous 
assent. 
How, then, shall this difficulty be provided for ? In 
the present state of Poultry knowledge, the concurrent 
opinion of a given number of the most experienced of 
those who are in the habit of actiug as judges would, 
doubtless, carry great weight; and, if submitted to tlio 
periodical re-consideration of a similar body on certain 
stated occasions, such as that afforded by the Birming¬ 
ham Meeting, when a conference of this description 
might readily be brought together, its authority would 
soon enforce ohedience. Objection, we are aware, may 
possibly be taken to the fluctuation of rules consequent 
on this occasional revision; but, at present, it would be 
a bold assertion to assume that we knew everything 
concerning even those fowls that are best known to 
us; and this the more particularly, when we place in 
comparison our preseut knowledge of Poultry generally, 
with that possessed some few years since by those whose 
attention had been the most carefully bestowed on this 
subject. It is not, we apprehend, too much to say, that 
we are justified in looking forward to the speedy attain¬ 
ment of far better information than we can at present 
I lay claim to with respect to the natural history, the 
characteristics, the properties, and the peculiar features 
and excellencies of the several races. 
The classification of our exhibitions, equally with 
the principles on which the premiums would be awarded, 
would thus become matters of general assent, from a 
just confidence in the close scrutiny to which every 
breed would have to submit; and the exhibitor would 
no longer he induced to select his specimens in accord¬ 
ance with the known or supposed bias of any probable 
judge. 
No one can be moro thoroughly convinced than our¬ 
selves of the utter impossibility of any mere hook- 
knowledge rendering an individual competent for dis¬ 
charging the duties of a Poultry Judge. So far from it, 
indeed, that we should expect that any servile adherence 
to minute rules would be very likely to exert an un- 
flavourable influence on the decision of even competent 
persons. The certain result of such a system would be 
to lay too much stress on single or loss important 
features, to the very possible omission of weightier 
considerations. An eye with a natural capability of 
scanning at a glance the various candidates for honours, 
is an indispensable quality in a good judge. This, 
indeed, is far from being all that is required, since 
practical experience, and a knowledge of recognised 
points, are most strictly essential qualifications; but 
still, the absence of the first-named must ever negative 
the latter. 
That such an impression prevails, is sufficiently evident 
from the comparatively small number of those gentlemen 
to whom the office of judge has been confided by the 
leading societies. Many a good arbitrator in some one, 
two, or even three classes, would bo utterly abroad were 
these limits to be exceeded; and there are, in truth, so 
many requisites of such various natures to qualify the 
Poultry Judge, that the same remark will probably long 
hold good. 
But although a tabular standard of merits will never 
redeem inefficiency, it will, nevertheless, procure cer¬ 
tainty on points on which judges are now constantly 
divided; and on this account will render their divisions 
more palatable to exhibitors, and better calculated to 
advance the objects of the society themselves. 
We should anticipate the best results from the pub¬ 
lication of such authoritative statement, and our aid, we 
need hardly add, would most readily be accorded to its 
promoters. But it should be remembered, that such a 
task must not rashly be undertaken, for any ill-digested 
attempt to regulate such questions would probably very 
seriously retard ultimate success. The uuion of the 
leading judges is the first and the main point; until this 
can be effected, the labours of even a majority of those 
who may be thus regarded would be insufficient, and 
their design abortive. The constitution of a body 
capable of undertaking the task, and such as would be 
likely to command public assent to their conclusions, 
might, perhaps, be attended with some difficulty; but. 
surely, there is no primitive obstacle of sufficient mag¬ 
nitude to forbid the attempt. But as suggestions of 
what ought to be done, do little good unless there is 
also an endeavour to shew how it should be done, we 
would plead this as our reason for the expression of our 
wish that the “ Birmingham ” Committee would take 
the matter into their consideration ; believing, as we do, 
that such a selection as that body might arrive at 
would be that to which public confidence would be most 
readily accorded. 
With a desire to commence the initiatory proceedings 
with as little delay as may be, we hope to lay before our 
readers such a summary of “ poultry characteristics,” as 
may best express our conclusions on past experience, 
and elicit the observations of others ; since it is evident 
that a free discussion of the question will materially aid 
the labours of a body, such as we have presumed may be 
brought together at no very distant day for the full 
solution of these disputed points.—W. 
PRUNING THE PLUM AND APRICOT. 
The Plum does not require the amount of attention, 
as to winter pruning, that some others do, unless planted 
in very rich soil, where, as a trained tree, some kinds 
are apt to become quite unmanageable. Under all 
