254 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
January 2. 
The following curious particulars, for which we are 
indebted to Dr. Thomson’s “ Animal Chemistry,” is 
somewhat relative to our subject:— 
“To Vauquelin we are indebted for an analysis of the 
fixed parts of the excrements of fowls, and a comparison of 
them with the fixed parts of the food; from which some 
very curious consequences may he deduced. 
“He found that a hen devoured in ten days 1 111 1‘843 
grains troy of oats. These contained, 
Phosphate of lime, . . 120 - 509 grains. 
Silica, .... 219-548 
340-057 
“ During these ten days she laid four eggs ; the shells of 
which contained 98-779 grains phosphate of lime, and 
453-417 grains carbonate of lime. The excrements emitted 
during these ten days contained 175-529 grains phosphate of 
lime, 58-594 grains of carbonate of lime, and 185-206 grains 
of silica. Consequently, the fixed parts thrown out of the 
system during these ten days amounted to, 
Phosphate of lime, . . 274-305 grains. 
Carbonate of lime, . . 511-911 
Silica, .... 185-266 
Given out, . . 971-482 
Taken in, . . 356-057 
Surplus . . 615-425 
Consequently, the quantity of fixed matter given out of the 
system in ten days exceeded the quantity taken in by 
615.425 grains, 
The silica taken in amounted to, 219-548 grains. 
That given out was only, . 185-266 
Remain, 34-282 
Consequently, there disappeared 34-228 grains of silica 
The phosphate of lime taken in was 136-509 grains. 
That given out was . . 274-305 
naturally suggestive of the various modes by which it 
may be thought possible to render the proceedings of 
such Associations still more efficient. From the general 
tone of conversation on that occasion, it may reasonably 
be inferred, that tho necessity for “ a recognised standard 
of poultry excellence" is now generally admitted. The 
opponents of such a measure, indeed, seem to limit 
their opposition to two points; first, the difficulty of 
the task; and, secondly, their apprehensions of increased 
labour to the judges, as if every individual in each pen 
would require the separated tabular enumeration of its 
failings and merits. 
The obstacles alluded to, however, are so far from 
being insuperable, that when we require a distinct 
statement of their nature and effect, we are commonly 
referred to abstract ideas of the difficulties attendant on 
such compilations, with particular allusions to pre¬ 
sumed objections, of which we are altogether unable to 
recognise the force. 
Week by week is the conviction more and more I 
powerfully impressed on our mind that an authoritative 
estimate of the points to be required in prize poultry 
must be the key stone to the arch which the energy 
lately devoted to the subject has succeeded in carrying 
up to this point. Here our work must receive comple¬ 
tion ; not, indeed, by closing the doors against any 
subsequent consideration, or by enacting a statute like 
that of the Medes and Persians, which may never suffer 
revisiou, for perfection is not yet attained even in 
those breeds now best known to us, and remember¬ 
137-796 
“ Consequently, there must have been formed, by digestion, 
in this fowl, no less than 137-796 grains of phosphate of 
lime, besides 511*911 grains of carbonate. Consequently, 
lime (and perhaps also phosphorus) is not a simple sub¬ 
stance, but a compound, and formed of ingredients which 
exist in oat-seed, water, or air, the only substances to which 
the fowls had access. Silica may enter into its composition, 
as part of the silica had disappeared; but if so, it must bo 
combined with a great quantity of some other substance. 
“ These consequences are too important to be admitted 
without a very rigorous examination. The experiment 
must be repeated frequently, and we must be absolutely 
certain that the hen has no access to any calcareous earth, 
and that she has not diminished in weight; because,in that 
case, some of the calcareous earth, of which part of her 
body is composed, may have been employed. This rigour 
is the more necessary, as it seems pretty evident, from 
experiments made long ago, that some birds, at least, cannot 
produce eggs unless they have access to calcareous earth. 
Dr. Fordyce found, that, if the canary bird was not supplied 
with lime at the time of her laying, she frequently died, 
from her eggs not coming forward properly. He divided a 
number of these birds at the time of their laying eggs into 
1 two parties : to the one he gave a piece of old mortar, which 
| the little animals swallowed greedily; they laid their eggs as 
j usual, and all of them lived; whereas many of the other 
party, which were supplied with no lime, died. 
“ Vauquelin also ascertained, according to Fourcroy, that 
pigeons’ dung contains an acid of a peculiar nature (uric), 
which increases when the matter is diluted with water, but 
gradually gives place to ammonia, which is at last exhaled 
in abundance.” 
The annual recurrence of such a poultry gathering as 
Birmingham has lately atforded, both as regards the 
birds themselves and their owners and admirers, is 
ing, also, that others yet unknown may hereafter ask 
for the consideration of their various claims, our 
standard must certainly be capable of readjustment, and 
of adaptation to subjects not now before us. 
Here we may be permitted again to use the words of 
tho able writer whose communications on the same 
topic were lately given to our readers.—•“ The fact is self- j 
evident that there must be a standard of merit expressed 
or understood in the mind of every man who goes to ' 
judge a fowl. Then, why not have such rules of con¬ 
duct in judging specified, settled, and made known, to 
light tho path of the ignorant, and to serve as guide- 
posts even to the better-informed? As I before said, no 
rules will make every man a judge, either of a fowl, a 
horse, or a pig; there is the eye, the eye of comparison, 
the setting-off the difficulties and the merits, also, 
of A against those of B ; and this requires tact and per¬ 
ception. But, of course, if a man has no laws, no 
rules to guide him, he is like a ship without a compass ; 
but I am telling a thrice-told tale.” 
These words exactly express our own sentiments ; the 
code wo would see established will profit nothing to the 
incompetent judge; but will surely prove of infinite 
service to any one who undertakes that office with 
sufficient qualifications; it will give his conclusions the 
seal of confidence as regards not merely his own views, 
but those of the poultry public generally, while the 
exhibitor will learn what to breed for, and the public 
how to estimate his labours. 
We make no excuse for this digression, which may 
