144 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
November 21. 
weak faith are punished; but they are washed and put away, 
and his end is peace. It would not be possible, or justifiable, 
lo transcribe Mr. Johnston’s concluding pages ; they should, 
however, be read by all who can buy the little book, for they 
arc, indeed, precious. To those in a humble rank of life the 
whole memoir is truly valuable, and much worldly as well 
spiritual instruction may be gathered from it. It plainly, 
and loudly, and unmistakeably confirms the holy command, 
“Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, 
and all these things (food, raiment, <fco.,) shall be added 
unto you.” Oh, dear readers! whoever you are, high or low, 
rich or poor, be fully, intensely assured, that to believe and 
net upon this precept and promise is your only hope, your 
only happiness; your great duty; and your only great, and 
never-failing security. “ Seek not ye what yo shall eat, nor 
what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.” 
Readers! remember this, 
THE CAMBRIDGE POULTRY EXHIBITION. 
This proved a very interesting and successful undertaking, 
and received the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince 
Albert, and also of most of the resident clergy and nobility 
of the surrounding neighbourhood. It was held on Wed¬ 
nesday, the 8th iust., and two following days, in Parker’s 
Carriage Repository, St. -Andrew’s-street, Cambridge, which 
had been improved for the purpose, by the introduction of 
very extensive sky-lights along the principal portion of the 
building; still, in some parts of the exhibition, the light 
proved exceedingly defective — the consequence being, that 
gas-light was introduced as a substitute. In many classes, 
artificial light is by no means au equivalent for exhibition 
purposes ; and, possibly, auother season this one objection 
to present arrangements will be either partially or wholly 
removed, as the committee proved themselves most anxious 
to fulfil their duties, both as regarded the general accom- 
modation of poultry, and also of visitors. With this trifling, 
and, perhaps, unavoidable exception, the arrangements were 
very complete and satisfactory. The attendance was also 
very good ; and the great numbers of clergymen present in 
academical costume presented a somewhat unusual feature 
in such exhibitions, still, however, proving that the interest 
in the culture of domestic poultry was not confined exclu¬ 
sively to the laity of the district. 
In the Spanish class, for adult birds, were some exceed¬ 
ingly beautiful specimens; whilst in the chicken, the com¬ 
petition was excellent: in the “single class” of this variety 
(for a cock of any age), it has very rarely been our lot to 
see- a more perfect bird than the successful one, the property 
of the Hon. Mrs. Astley, of Tlietford; it was, however, 
speedily “claimed” at the entrance price (four pounds), 
and could afterwards have been disposed of for a much 
higher sum. In the class for single Spanish hens, the 
competition was lamentably deficient, and the prizes were, 
therefore, withheld. 
The display of Grey Dorkings was magnificent, the 
Rev. James Boys, of Biddenham Rectory, taking the 
highest premiums in both the adult and chicken classes. 
It is impossible to speak more highly than deserved of 
the successful birds, whether we consider the size or 
plumage as objects of especial attention; nor do we ever 
remember to have seen nearly fifty pens of Dorkings 
so generally deserving; the two pullets in the ohicken-pen 
of the second prize birds were, undoubtedly, the best that 
have as yet competed for public favour; and, had the male 
bird been equal in character, most probably would they 
have been not only successful at Cambridge, but also at 
whatever show they might have contested. The improve¬ 
ment in the Dorking classes, during the few last years, 
presents, perhaps, the best proof that could bo adduced of 
the high opinion of agriculturists of this variety, and also 
the importance and results of careful and attentive selection 
of brood-stock. A dry, warm soil, is, however, quite essen¬ 
tial to success in their production ; for on low, ill-drained, 
cold land, degeneracy speedily ensues. The While Dorkings 
were very indifferent, and shown in bad condition. 
The Cochins were very superior;—specimens from almost 
all of our principal breeders abounded, and numbers changed 
ownership, the extravagant demand of past days not being 
here insisted on, and their advantages as winter layers as 
universally acknowledged. In the single cock class, the 
winner was a most commendable spocimen, from the stock 
of Mr. Charles Puncliard, In the like class for single hens, 
a reference to our subjoined prize-list will best attest their 
general superiority ; and not a few were speedily “ claimed ’’ 
of such birds as would be a high credit to any poultry- 
fancier. 
The Brahma Pootra classes were well filled, contained 
many good specimens, but the darker pencilled vari¬ 
eties seemed to hold position in preference to their 
lighter coloured rivals. 
The Game classes were excellent; never were there 
more brilliant displays of highly-bred specimens ; true 
to feather, well matched, and for condition, perfection; 
consequently, the most minute inspection must have 
attended the awards; for, as our readers will perceive, 
that many almost universally successful birds elsewhere, 
here only obtained “ high commendations.” The attention 
of exhibitors in this class, seems, at length, fully directed to 
our oft-repeated observations as to matching birds for exhi¬ 
bition ; and the almost faultless perfection, in this particular, 
of the Game fowls, was the subject of many a eulogy from 
breeders of this variety; a class always attractive to the 
public eye, from the matchless beauty, high martial carriage, 
and indomitable Growings. At Cambridge, around these 
pens there was no lack of admirers, and they appeared the 
most interesting feature in the exhibition. A few very 
superior pens, however, proved a hen short, from the ill- 
judged plan too frequently resorted to of placing birds 
unknown to each other (or only partially so), in the same 
pen for competition. This plan, if pursued in the Game 
classes, causes a result that is all but inevitable, one or 
other of the inmates speedily becomes perfectly scalped; 
her indomitable tormentor being changed into a relentless 
and infuriate vixen, by the noisy excitement that prevails 
around, if they have not previously, for a considerable time, 
been perfectly acquainted. No efforts of a committee, 
however carefully devised, can ever prevent such a contin¬ 
gency ; the brutal persecution of one hen still continuing 
towards her fellow, even under the very eye of an attendant, 
and the injuries just described as frequently being the result 
of only one single attack. IVlien hens have been thus 
maltreated, it is very rarely they recover ; and even should 
they, for “ show fowls ” they are no longer of the slightest 
value; therefore, with highly-bred birds, it is always very 
inadvisable to thus attempt the reconciliation of comparative 
strangers. 
The Malays were, as a whole, indifferent; and the 
Haniburghs could not boast of the perfection we see in the 
more northern districts. Two or three “ hen-tailed oocks” 
were exhibited in the Silver Hamburgh class, but proved 
unsuccessful. 
The Silver Polands were, perfect birds, as a whole class, 
the other varieties not so ; indeed, from the latter, not a 
few premiums were withheld. 
The Turkish fowls, in the extra class, were very curious and 
interesting specimens, particularly clean, and their novelty 
caused them many admirers. This “ extra class”.was unusually 
filled with excellent and unique specimens; so much so, that, 
at the request of the judges, the number of advertised pre¬ 
miums were here doubled; consequently, Andalusians, Black 
Hambro’s, White l’olands, Black Polands, and “ Frizzled 
Fowls,” each were noticed for prizes, or commendations. 
Mr. Leno, of Hcmel Hempstead, took the first prizes in 
both Golden and Silver-laced Bantams. The Black Bantams 
were far superior to those generally exhibited; tho White 
Bantams were also very good. 
All the Duck classes shone conspicuously, the Aylesbury 
ducks especially ; indeed, several of the pens containing only 
a drake and two ducks, when weighed by the judges, proved 
upwards of twenty-one pounds the three, and the first prize 
birds nearly twenty-three pounds. 
In Geese, the competition was equally apparent; tho 
first prize birds (Embdens) proved fifty-seven pounds 
weight; but it was the Turkey class that was the most 
distinguishing and prominent feature in the whole exhi¬ 
bition. Cambridgeshire, ever notorious as a county for 
Turkeys, proved its credit is not ill bestowed, as the weights 
of this year’s birds will sufficiently demonstrate; they were as 
