THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
135 
| November 21. 
we should be glad to see it extended to all the various 
races. In the first Dorking class, “colour” is not 
mentioned; but the birds are to be shown “ irrespective 
of comb.” If by this is intimated that combs, whether 
“ single,” “ rose,” or “ cupped,” are admissible, provided 
the occupants of the pen are duly matched in this 
respect, the rule is good ; but, as it now stands, the 
i disregard of comb may, very possibly, be thought to 
warrant the presence “in the same pen of birds with 
varied combs,” which would clearly be an unwise per¬ 
mission. Exhibitors’ comprehension of rules, it must 
be remembered, is often dense; no loop-hole, therefore, 
from any want of clearness in the stipulations, should 
be ever afforded them. 
i We next find a class for “ Blue-mottled Dorkings.” Is 
the “ Cuckoo ” variety thus designated ; or some local 
appellation made use of with reference to birds elsewhere 
passing under another name? Shanghaes are enumerated 
i as “light,” “dark,” and white; but we see nothing 
gained by this change from the usual style of classifi- 
! cation. 
The Hamburghs are arranged by “ colour," not by 
“marking','' This is palpably wrong; for, whatever the 
origin of either family, the “ Pencilled” and the ' 
“ Spangled” birds stand wido apart, and should be thus ) 
placed on every prize-list. “ Polish ” (not “Polands”); 
have grievously suffered at the hands of the Committee, 
for they are all thrown into a single class ; and of such 
j parsimony the Judges, above all others, will have aright 
to complain. 
The Geese hatched in 1854 are alone invited to attend, 
: and are to be of specified sexes. As regards the latter ! 
j requirement, a special arbitrator for this particular would 
be a useful judicial assistant, for there are but very few 
Judges who would be willing to take upon themselves to 
speak positively as to the sex of young Geese in a pen. 
j “Pigeons” form a short, and hardly satisfactory list, 
! certain varieties only being there named. 
The 28th, and two following days, are named for the 
: Essex Society’s Poultry Exhibition, at Colchester, of 
which the prize-list betokens liberality. An inspection 
, of the rules would lead us to suppose that the sound 
principle of rendering 6uch institutions self-supporting 
; had dictated many of these resolutions; the like induce¬ 
ment held out to subscribers, and the high rate of 
pen-money suggesting this remark. If this be so, most 
heartily do we wish success to their Committee; for thus 
only will the Poultry cause be permanently maintained 
as its importance deserves. But we imagine that the 
erasure from the list of the exhibitions of many of the 
minor shows in neighbourhoods where the spirit of 
opposition, rather than the conviction of their utility, 
has been their origin, must precede this more wholesome 
state of things. 
The rules of this association enter somewhat more 
into detail than is customary with such documents; but 
the points they refer to are more necessary for the sake 
of the exhibitor, no less than the officials themselves, 
finch are those which provide for the exclusion of un¬ 
healthy birds, and the irresponsibility of the committee 
for losses from disease, accident, or “ mistake ,” (the last- 
named word may possibly bo objected to, if error on 
the part of the officers is thus specified). There is also 
a good arrangement by sending a printed form of order 
to every exhibitor, which must be signed by him, and 
delivered by his servant to the officers appointed to 
return the specimens. 
The schedule opens with two silver cups ; the first to 
be awarded to the best general collection of Poultry, 
consisting of not less than six pens, shewn by any 
amateur exhibitor resident in the United Kingdom ; the 
second, with a limitation to the counties of Essex and 
Suffolk. 
Several remarks in approval, or otherwise, that have 
been made in reference to the Brighton Exhibition will 
apply to the present instance. But beyond these we 
notice, that the first prizes for Shanghaes, Game, Polish, 
and Hamburgh, are reduced below those for Dorkings 
and Spanish. But cvcu if Hamburghs and Polish are 
thus treated in regard of their presumed less profitable 
character, Shanghaes and Game surely merit an equal 
position with either Spanish or Dorkings, and without 
discussion on their relative merits, we may safely say, 
that this first instance of official degradation is not 
likely to be favourably received. 
Turkeys have no less than twelve prizes, the “ Black,” 
“ White,” and “ other colours,” being divided, as, also, 
the old birds, and those hatched within the year, with ad¬ 
ditional premiums, for the best cock and lieu separately. 
A new feature is introduced, in “ Swan ” classes, both 
old and young. No other bird, however, is likely to appear 
to such comparative disadvantage in the narrow limits 
of an exhibition room; and beyond this, we should 
certainly question its title to appear among “ Domestic ” 
poultry; for, although tamed and accustomed to man, 
“domesticity” is no by means to be spoken of as among 
its characteristics. The “ extra class,” which, until 
want of room closed against it the doors of Bingley 
Hall, attracted such general attention from its varied 
members, made no pretension to limit its admission to 
mere Poultry, but birds of any description were there 
received. There are but few persons for whom the study 
of Natural History has not many charms, and on that 
account we would gladly welcome back the miscellaneous 
medley, Swans and all; but to enrol these last-named 
birds as legitimately included within the Poultry-yard, 
is, we apprehend, an error. 
Eive prizes are allotted for Geese; but we should have 
been better pleased to have seen these truly useful birds 
in separate classes, according to their respective colours, 
“ white,” “ grey,” and “ mottled.” This extension, how¬ 
ever, by which Turkeys have already profited, will, in 
due time, we trust, reach this most valuable soction of 
the anatidm. The Pigeon list fairly represents the 
different varieties, and the Rabbit fancier is also sum¬ 
moned to the contest. 
