158 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
November 28. 
inents at my first starting in life, I think, on the whole, 
that was best for me, and I have great reasons to be 
thankful. D. Beaton. 
However at variance the principles on which the 
present desideratum of one uniform standard of the 
points of merit in Poultry may he thought attainable, no 
one contests its necessity, either as regards the public, 
the exhibitor, or the judge. 
The opinion of a single individual, indeed, is open to 
objection as being devoid of sufficient authority for 
such a compilation; but unless acquiescence or discus¬ 
sion be thus invited, the collective epitome of judicial 
knowledge must, we fear, be long wanting. But here it 
should be premised, that the points to be now recom¬ 
mended for the poultry breeder’s observance, are by no 
means grounded on any such individual estimate; but, 
on the contrary, have the concurrence of much that has 
been ably expressed verbally, and otherwise, by mauy 
of those whose opinions would carry much weight with 
all to whom poultry has become an object of interest. 
The difficulties of the task have not been underrated, 
and it has only been taken in hand from an impression, 
that, by such a course alone, would be elicited the 
criticism and discussion requisite for eventual agree¬ 
ment. No one, in fact, can be more persuaded than 
ourselves that even the most experienced in poultry 
matters have much yet to learn, and on this ground 
we would ask for the co-operation of those who may 
take objection to portions of our suggested code. 
It is evident that the most perfect development of the 
several characteristic features of the different breeds 
supplies the model by which the breeder’s skill must 
be tested. The term, “different breeds,” is here 
designedly employed; for, whatever the primitive state 
of the domestic fowl, a sufficient line of demarcation is 
now visible to justify speaking of many of its varieties 
as specifically distinct. Here, as elsewhere in the 
animal kingdom, the efforts at the production of more 
valuable properties, or more striking characteristics, are 
ever bounded by a natural check. Improvement goes 
on, in skilful hands, precisely so far as nature has already 
pointed out the way, and any attempt to combine what 
she has separated is followed by inevitable disappoint¬ 
ment. Those who lean to the idea of “ originated ” 
varieties of fowls thus rendered permanent by repro¬ 
duction, inter se, may profitably study this limitation to 
their efforts. Cross-bred fowls, in the first generation, 
may very possibly, in some instances, be better suited 
to the peculiar wants and circumstances of their owner; 
but their merits and their forms are equally evanes¬ 
cent if left to their own resources for the perpetuation 
of their race. 
The Poultry Exhibition, therefore, which regards the 
perpetuation of those that may now be termed “ pure ” 
breeds, wisely dispenses with the presence of these 
mongrels. 
Among a yard of any one variety of fowls, we are 
readily enabled to select various merits possessed by 
different birds, and these we endeavour to combine in 
a single specimen, according to the sexes. We thus, in 
fact, possess a model, although, in some particulars, 
differences may exist as to the precise proportion and 
combination of these meritorious features, which is likely 
to give the most effective result. Hence, the object 
of a general standard, which shall fix and determine 
opinions yet at variance, but which make no pretence 
to devise arbitrary forms, features, or characteristics, 
beyond those which nature has already held out for our 
guidance. 
The distinctive peculiarities of each breed, or variety, 
are of paramount importance. Thus, however merito¬ 
rious in other respects, a Spanish fowl with a bad face, 
a Dorking without the fifth toe, a Poland with an 
inferior top-knot, or a Shangbae without quality of 
fluff, must, one and all, be summarily discarded. The 
Poultry Judge, it is true, has to regard plumage and 
form as two most material elements by which his 
decisions will bo guided; but, at the same time, ex. 
perience has fully shown that the required figure, in 
all but fancy breeds, is that best suited to economical 
purposes; and that beauty of feather is every way com¬ 
patible with all the purposes required of the fowl, viewed 
merely as to its useful properties. 
When the points severally to be aimed at and 
avoided in the different races have received our atten¬ 
tion, we propose to offer some remarks as to the 
j system by which the general standard, that we hope 
may be arrived at, shall render its arbitrations most 
intelligible to the public. For, unless a something of 
this kind be accomplished, so that a spectator before a 
prize pen may be at once enabled to recognise the 
points on which success has been achieved, the desidera¬ 
tum that has been alluded to will be but half attained. 
A majority of exhibitors, we admit, are sufficiently well- 
informed to gather this knowledge for themselves; but 
there arc many others to whom the ability to do so is 
wanting; and still more, whom we would desire to 
instruct and direct to Poultry-keeping, by simple ex¬ 
planations suitable to every understanding. 
Commencing with the larger fowls, their alphabetical 
arrangement places the Coloured Dorkings first on 
our list. 
Grey, including Spangled. 
Speckled. 
Red. 
Cuckoo. 
The colour of the Dorking fowl must have a wide 
range, and might almost be termed immaterial, provided 
a coarse, mealy appearance be avoided, and the pen is 
well-matched. 
In the Qrey birds, the cocks are either black or speckle¬ 
breasted, with the hackle and saddle varying from white 
to a deep straw-colour; back, wing coverts and primaries, [ 
the same, intermixed with darker shades. The hens of 
the deeper-toned grey are best placed with the darker- 
hackled male birds; while the light ash-brown, the slate- 
coloured, and the silver hens arc fit companions for the 
