308 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
February 13. 
Here endeth the paper on the Garden Pea, which, 
as far as was possible, embraces every variety which was 
in cultivation in the summer of 1853. There are some 
additions which we have not hitherto had an oppor¬ 
tunity of testing, but hope to do so; when, we have no 
doubt, wo shall meet with what we sometimes do in 
other vocations of life,—some old friends with new 
faces. Such undertakings as these are not without the 
sacrifice of much time, and the accompaniment of con¬ 
siderable trouble; but it is a labour ot love; and if life 
and health be preserved to us, we intend to pursue the 
same course with other garden Vegetables as that which 
we have now finished with the Garden Pea.—R. H. 
Among the specimens commonly exhibited at Poultry- 
shows in the class “ for any other distinct variety,” there 
are several to which allusion has been already made in 
our remarks on the characteristic points of the various 
breeds. Thus we have regarded the Andalusian and 
White Spanish under the general head of “ Spanish 
Fowls,” where we certainly think they should take their 
place. The Cuckoo fowl, nine times out of ten, is 
simply a Cuckoo Dorking; and where this plumage is 
borne by a Malay, a Game, or a Shanghae bird, those 
several races should number among them the birds of 
this characteristic feather. Brahma Pootras are to be 
treated in the same manner, and to give them their 
utmost due, they receive full encouragement when mar¬ 
shalled in a class for “ Grey Shanghaes.” Rangoon*, 
again, are merely “ pile Malays;” and the white, black, 
mottled, and yellow Polish, that are sometimes collected 
at the fag end of the Catalogue, should ever be enlisted 
in a “ Miscellaneous Polish class.” Black Hamburghs 
should go with that family; and the Indian with the 
English Game; where, however, they would frequently 
be disqualified, from the evident intermixture of Malay 
blood. 
Of those that remain for consideration, the birds for 
which the claim of specific distinction may be most 
confidently asserted, are principally the Turkey fowls, 
the Rumpless, and the Frizzled. 
The first of these, or, at least, birds of kindred race, 
that have been for the last two or three years pressed 
upon public notice as Ptarmigans, have recently been 
shown in infinitely better form under the title of Serai- 
Tdoolc, or Fowls of the Sultan. Not that these birds are 
in all respects identical; but they so far resemble each 
other, as to enable us to come to the conclusion that the 
last importations from Constantinople present us with 
all the featuros of excellence that would be desired in 
birds of that character. The so-called “ Ptarmigans,’’ 
an appellation, by the way, almost as objectionable as 
the “pheasant fowls” of former days, had sadly 
degenerated during the twenty or more years that had 
passed since their introduction into this country; for 
their pedigree seems now to be clearly established, and 
the term Turkey fowls may with all propriety be applied 
to the breed. 
The Serai-Tdook approach the size of the White 
Polish fowl, with well-shaped globular top-knots, and 
beards, ample tails, booted, and five-toed. Whereutility 
is regarded, in addition to appearance, we cannot but 
think that they must find many admirers, since, in this 
last respect, they may justly bo considered one of the 
best additions that the “extra class” has for some time 
witnessed. 
With the Frizzled folds, the judge has mainly to 
regard characteristic plumage, of which each feather, 
the tail excepted, should wear the look of having been 
subjected to the hairdresser’s curling-irons turning 
their extremities backwards ; the longer feathers of the 
tail, not admitting the same treatment, are ragged and 
dishevelled; colour is not obligatory. 
In the Rumpless, the entire absence of the usual 
caudal appendage is presented to us, the saddle feathers 
falling over with unusual profuseness. Colour may here 
also be left an open question ; and the arbitration will 
be guided by the condition, size, and general appearance 
of the specimens. 
Among Silk Fowls there are several sub-varieties as 
to colour; but those that carry with them the best proof 
of a distinct breed are the White. In size they should 
range between the Bantam and the smaller iowls, such 
as the Game and Hamburghs; the web of each feather 
being disunited throughout from its point of junction 
with the shaft; legs slate-coloured, and feathered; face 
light blue, with the comb and wattles purple. In shape 
there is a decided approximation to the Shanghae form. 
Some authorities would consider the necessary 
addenda to this class as deserving far more elaborate 
notice than we are by any means inclined to bestow 
upon them. The mere enumeration, on the other hand, 
will, perhaps, be deernod uncalled for. As the avowed 
object, however, of the class is to encourage new 
varieties, and submit them to a fair test, the following 
catalogue may be given as comprising the principal 
claimants for this distinction:—“Breda,” “Brazilian,” 
“Columbian,” “Russian," “ Bongal,” “Bruges,” “Nor¬ 
mandy,” “ Jerusalem,” “ Cossack,” and “Varna.” Under 
each of these titles have birds been shown ; and loudly 
expressed have often been the complaints of their 
owners that their merits have not been duly appreciated. 
We may venture, however, to state, that public opinion 
seems usually to have gone liand-in-hand with the 
judicial verdicts that have been pronounced on the 
various members of this division of our exhibitions. 
Several of these alleged breeds are evidently but cross¬ 
bred fowls; and others are as yet without any sufficient 
evidence of their being free from this stain ; while of all, 
without exception, it may be fairly said, that they seem 
destitute of any recommendation which should raise 
them to a level with our present recognised breeds. On 
these grounds a detailed description of their several 
features would be waste of both time and space. 
When complaints are made of prizes being withheld 
in this class, as was the case at the last Birmingham 
meeting, it would be well to remember the conditions 
on which premiums are offered by that society, as 
regards this particular portions of the show. In the 
