231 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
December 2G. 
the arbitrators; but when we come to the signs which 
would bear evidence on the age of a bird, whether 
hatched in the previous December or January, when it 
comes before us at tho following Christmas we have 
little from which confidence in the verdict may be gained. 
Early forcing, again, adds to this uncertainty, already 
sufficiently puzzling, when Fowls are brought up on 
what may be termed an ordinary farm-yard-system. The 
Dorking, perhaps, is the bird most -subject to this in¬ 
fluence ; for we have noticed specimens, undoubtedly 
batched within the year, that exhibited every sign, both 
in their general figure and particular points, such as 
the head, leg, and spur, of being considerably older. 
Such early maturity may, indeed, be profitable for the 
table; but we apprehend a grave error has frequently 
been committed in the selection of such birds for breed¬ 
ing purposes. 
In the classes for prizes at Birmingham this diffi¬ 
culty as to age has been experienced in former years, 
and a special referee for that purpose has been found a 
necessary official. We believe, indeed, that the Judge’s 
duties were no sinecure on the recent occasion, and that 
his disqualifications were pronounced where intentional 
misrepresentation cannot be thought possible. 
The other rule, which would be more honoured in 
the breach than the observance, because ineffectual to 
obviate the evil it is aimed against, is that of requiring 
an absolute ownership of two months previous to the 
day of exhibition. That this regulation also fails to 
check those who desire to take unfair steps for success, 
to the prejudice of the breeder and correct purchaser, 
is matter of notoriety. Fictitious sales—and such a 
sale may be even where money passes, and without any 
security for the subsequent result—should not be tole¬ 
rated; but they are here actually encouraged. In this 
instance, an endeavour is often made to palliate a disen- 
genuous negociation; in others, however, positive false¬ 
hood is too commonly resorted to. 
In the strong expression of our opinion on this point, 
the good designed by the rules in question is as fully 
recognised by us as by any of those who are the most 
strenuous advocates for their retention on the prize-list. 
Nor would we thus intimate that wilful mistatements of 
this character are in any large proportion to the cases 
where strict accuracy, according to the best of the 
owner's belief, has been observed. But, whatever can 
be shown to be prejudicial to the upright and conscien¬ 
tious exhibitor, when brought into competition with one 
who is actuated by other motives, both requires, and 
should receive, the most serious consideration of those 
on whom may devolve the arrangement of such details. 
“ Where should the Andalusian fowls appear in the 
Exhibition-room?” was a question addressed to us in 
Bingley Hall last week, and the correct answer to this 
would certainly call in question the present arrangement. 
The class in which these birds are now shown is that 
for “ any other distinct variety; ” since, therefore, the 
| utmost that can be said for the Andalusian bird is, that 
it is a sub-variety of Spanish, they should be arranged 
j either with their black cousins, or the general heading 
“ Spanish,” should be sub-divided into sections for 
“ black,” “ blue,” and “white.” 
The Cottagers' poultry were too quickly passed over in 
our report. Three prizes only being allotted to this 
class, Ducks, Fowls, and Bantams were all competitors 
together. To the first-named, a remarkably good 
pen of young Aylesbury Ducks, was assigned tbe 
post of honour. Some promising Silver Polish cliiclcen 
came second; and a pen of S’hanyhaes third. These 
last are, in many respects, eminently qualified for a 
cottagers fowl. Their quiet, contented habits, and their 
meritorious laying properties, at a season when eggs are 
sure to command a good price, are points strongly in 
their favour, and which, now that prices have placed 
them within the reach of all, are evidently influencing 
many who are thus circumstanced. 
The Shanyhaes, indeed, were a very remarkable 
feature in the Birmingham Exhibition of 1854. A 
general retrograde movement had previously shewn 
itself, not merely as to the current market value, but, 
also, in the actual quality of the birds. Reaction is 
always a most critical period; and the sudden fall from 
what we have always considered a most undue estimate, 
was a necessary consequence of this false position. But 
to recover lost ground, and to regain tbe position to 
which they were justly entitled, although beneath that 
to which the “mania” had unwisely exalted them, 
testifies no less to the real intrinsic merits of tbe race, 
than to the skill and perseverance of their breeders. 
One of our most eminent Poultry judges observed, 
that on the recent occasion, if any classes were to be 
considered weaker than the other, Hamburylis and 
Malay would be those thus called in question. Assent¬ 
ing fully to this criticism, it may still be worth our 
attention to consider the causes that might be expected 
to lead to such a result, for it may commonly be 
supposed, in the case of the former, that fowls so widely 
distributed, and with what fanciers of every degree have 
been so long engaged, would not be open to this 
censure. Our plea for the Hamburghs amounts to this, 
that to a degree beyond what is expected in other 
Poultry, Bantams alone excepted, these fowls are tested 
by the strictest rules of feather, and their excellence 
demands the union of many numerous points of merit. 
We, consequently, believe that it would be difficult to 
name any other breed where it would require a larger 
stock from- which to select the members of a first-rate 
pen. One feature especially, tbe white ear-lobe, fre¬ 
quently sets at defiance the efforts of the most careful 
breeders; and yet, without this, no Hamburgh can be 
deemed perfect. Feather, too, must be precise to a 
degree usually uncalled for elsewhere; and as the best 
birds are always disposed to run out, the selection of 
breeding - stock is a matter that necessitates a long 
period of previous accurate observation. 
With Malays, again, the production of first-rate 
specimens is daily of more rare occurrence. But, re¬ 
membering that these fowls cannot retain the position 
formerly awarded them in public estimation, either, as 
we think, in regaid of appearance, or their economical 
