I 
December 12. 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
205 
: the Nursery quarters ; ancl as the amount of roots which a 
S tree may have, can often be judged of by the appearance of 
the head, these desiderata existing, few persons can err in 
the selection of them. Shrubs, with good, round, well- 
1 clothed heads, and plenty of fibrous root— i.e., shrubs which 
have been frequently transplanted in the Nursery, are those 
which I should select—size and shape to be taken into 
1 consideration, according to locality. With reference to 
fruit-trees, there is a great variety of opinions existing; many 
of them contrasting strangely with one another, and still 
many of them correct, according to locality and circum- 
| stances. One person boldly advocates the planting of 
maiden-trees ; the quickness—if I may so express it—of his 
soil is such that he is enabled to form a tree in a very short 
space of time. Another, whose soil is of a sluggish cha¬ 
racter, and in which the trees do not grow very rapidly, 
requires a tree formed before he plants it, or he would be so 
long getting a tree, that his “ patience ” would be exhausted 
in the interval. Mr. Ellington and Mr. Beaton write very 
i instructively on these subjects; and I would refer the 
readers of this to the many articles which have appeared 
during the last few months, from their pens, for a fund of 
information on these and all other subjects bearing on the 
“ pruning and cultivation of fruit-trees.” 
“ These are of the sort you require,” is likely to be the 
first proposition proceeding from a member of the last 
fraternity of “ Tree Sellersand it seldom happens that the 
rejoinder made by the purchaser is of a character to neces¬ 
sitate a reply similar to that which has given rise to the 
writing of this article. If the trees are suitable, they are 
selected ; and being carefully taken up, are transmitted to 
the purchaser’s residence or garden; and if they are not, 
they are rejected, and left for the next comer. Business is 
conducted in a candid, gentle, and proper manner. 
Every person who goes to a Nursery, or garden, for the 
purpose of selecting trees, either for planting a new, or 
renewing the plantation in an old, garden, should be well 
acquainted with the nature of the trees he requires, or be 
able to deal in full confidence with the Nurseryman of whom 
he intends to purchase. One of these essentials is ab¬ 
solutely necessary, to feel satisfied of a good result ensuing. 
Confidence should be the foundation on which the “ un¬ 
knowing ” should build on this subject. Scientifical 
knowledge, and real value, should he the “ guiding stars and 
criterea” by the which trees should be selected, and conclu¬ 
sions come to, as to their merits; and the “ slippery 
sixpence ” should never be withheld, nor valuable time be 
frittered away, in “ driving a bargain ” for any particular 
individual tree or plant; as “ good trees” are likely to pro¬ 
duce “ pounds ” ere their course is run ; whereas, bad ones 
have to be made “ good ” after they get into the gardener’s 
hands, before they are likely to produce pence.—C. B. S., 
Jersey. 
DERBY ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF POULTRY. 
The present year’s exhibition of Poultry, held in the 
County Court, Derby, on Thursday, the 30th ultimo, and 
following day, proved the most successful of any that has 
taken place throughout the kingdom during the present 
season; for, by the very excellent arrangements of the 
managing committee, not only were the surrounding aris- ' 
tocracy induced to become its patrons, but also to attend 
the “private views,” in most unusual numbers. To the 
inhabitants of Derby it proved quite a gala day ; and as the 
time for general admission approached, numbers were 
observed waiting the opportunity of securing the prize-pens, 
by “ claiming ” them at the prices at which they were 
entered by their respective proprietors ; consequently, very 
considerable numbers of the best poultry changed ownership, 
and some few were again repurchased at even an advanced 
amount. The result was, as a whole, most satisfactory to all 
parties, whether we consult the interests of the committee 
itself, th.e public, or the exhibitors; indeed, almost all the 
principal pens gaining the society’s premiums obtained 
willing purchasers. The exhibition itself was exceedingly 
well-conducted; every appointment seemed efficiently sus¬ 
tained, and the only real complaint was the absence of i 
sufficient light to some few of the pens ; this was, however, I 
obviated, as far as possible, by a liberal supply of gas; still I 
the judgment as to relative excellence can never he so 
uniformly successful where specimens are received under 
so different advantages of position. It is well, as far as 
possible, to avoid any differences in this respect as to com¬ 
peting pens; and we only make the suggestion, as, doubtless, 
other poultry shows are now very speedily to take place, 
where, perhaps, the acting committees may have not duly 
rellected on its great importance. 
The Cochins were very good indeed, and the specimens 
exhibited were not only of great characteristic merit, but 
most of them of very superior colour. Their superiority 
over those that have been of late competing at our various 
poultry shows was strikingly apparent. As to the darker 
varieties of Partridge-coloured birds, they have very rarely 
been excelled: these remarks appertain to both the adult 
and also the chicken prize-pens. The white were also 
good specimens, and seemed the general public favourites. 
The Spanish classes were also excellent; but it was in the 
Grey Dorking classes that the superiority of the exhibition 
was most manifest, and never were so many first-rate birds 
brought into close competition ; indeed, a reference to the 
prize-list will prove how highly they must have stood in the 
estimation of the gentlemen who officiated as the judges. 
Tn the White Dorkings there was also the same visible 
improvement. The whole of the Game classes were not 
only well filled, but the competition was also severe through¬ 
out the generality of them. Among the Hamburgh classes 
were many pens containing “ hen-tailed ” cocks, none of 
which, however, obtained premiums. Some of the Silver 
Polands were birds of very high merit. In the Sebright 
Bantams there was not anything deserving of especial 
notice. The Turkeys were very commendable; and the first- 
prize Geese have certainly never been excelled for size, if 
they have even ever been equalled; these, too, were speedily 
claimed. The White Aylesbury Ducks were good ; and we 
noticed several pens of the Buenos Ayres Ducks, of far 
beyond general character. 
All necessary arrangements for the speedy return of the 
poultry were duly considered, and we are informed, that in 
a few hours from the final closing of the doors, each pen 
was journeying to its destination. 
The judges were, Mr. Bailey, London, and Mr. Hewitt, 
Birmingham. 
Class ].— Shangaf, or Cochin-China (Buff and Cinnamon).— 5. 
First prize, Mr. W. Wanklyn, jun., Bury, Lancashire. 6 . Second prize, 
Mr. Thomas Challis, Bretby, Burton-on-Trent. Commended.—No. 1. 
Class 2 .—Chicken of 1854.— 29 . First prize, Mr. Thomas Challis, 
Bretby, Burton-on-Trent. 32. Second prize, Mr. John Harrison, jun., 
Snelston Hall, Ashbourn. Highly Commended.—Nos. 17, 23, 28, 38. 
Commended.—Nos. 24, 34, 36. (A good class.) 
Class 3.—Brown and Partridge.—44. First prize, Mr. Richard Swift, 
Southwell. (Second prize withheld.) 
Class 4.—Chicken of 1854.—48. First prize, Mr. Richard Swift, South- 
well. (Second prize withheld.) 
Class 5.—White.— 49 . Second prize, Mr. Robert Chase, Birmingham. 
(First prize withheld.) 
Class 6 .—Chicken of 1854.—53. First prize, Mr. Robert Chase, Bir¬ 
mingham. 52. Second prize, Miss Fanny S. Rodbard, Langford. 
Highly Commended.—No. 54. 
Clas 3 7 .—Black.—58. First prize, Mr. C. T. Nelson, The Lozells, 
Birmingham. (Second prize withheld.) 
Class 8 .—Chicken of 1854. — 63. First prize, Rev. George Calvert, 
Beeby, Leicester. (Second prize withheld.) 
Class 9.—SpANisn.—Chicken of 1854.—68. First prize, Mr. John 
Harrison, jun., Snelston Hall, Ashbourn. G 9 . Second prize, Mr. E. W. 
Wilmot, Hulme Walfield, Birmingham. 
Class 10.—Chicken of 1854. —82. First prize, Mr. John Harrison, jun., 
Snelston Hall, Ashbourn. S3. Second prize, Mr. John Ireland Black- 
burne, Light Oaks, Cheadle. Highly Commended.—No. 76 . Com¬ 
mended.—-Nos. 77 and 80. 
Class 11.— Dorkings (Coloured).— 87 . First prize, Dr. Hitchman, 
Mickleover. 95. Second prize, Rev. F. Thursby, Abington, North¬ 
ampton. Highly Commended. — Nos. 86, 93, 94, 98, 103. Com¬ 
mended.—No. 97. (A highly meritorious class.) 
Class 12.—Chicken of 1854.—132. First prize, Mr. John Faulkner, 
Bretby. 131. Second prize, The Countess of Chesterfield, Bretby. 
Highly Commended.—Nos. 105, 118, 119, 126, 130. Commended.—Nos. 
123, 125, 138. (The class generally commended.) 
Class 13.—White.—144. First prize. Rev. Charles Newdigate, West 
Hallam. 146. Second prize, Mrs. Stuart Smith, Moira, Ashby-de-la- 
Zouch. 
Class 14.—Chicken of 1854.—147- First prize, Mr. Francis [Leedham, 
Burton-on-Trent. 152. Second prize, Mr. George Fell, Springfield, 
Warrington. Highly Commended.—No. 119 . Commended.—No. 153. 
