466 
A note, by Mr. Janson, was also read, on the nomencla¬ 
ture of Mr. Curtis’s supposed new Elateridae, proving 
most of tbe species to have been previously described 
by continental authors. 
The occurrence of a Poultry Show is a common pretext 
for disparagement of the popular interest that has of 
late been manifested in this subject. That beneficial 
results have been effected by tbe means thus con¬ 
temptuously allude to, is, by this time, we apprehend, 
sufficiently apparent to every unprejudiced mind, but it 
may still be desirable to say a few words in reference to 
the utility of such Exhibitions, and the means by which 
their value may be yet further increased. 
Fifty or a hundred years ago, individuals were pro¬ 
bably to be found as greatly interested in their poultry, 
and giving their attention as fully to their favourites, as 
the prize-lists of the present day have called forth. 
They were, comparatively, indeed, few in number, and 
this from the very cause of their lacking tbe effective 
advertisement for publicity that tbe meeting of our 
present Associations provides. If, therefore, tbe special 
object of these bodies, “ the improvement of our breeds 
of domestic poultry," has been in any measure attained, 
our thanks are so far due to the Poultry Show, that 
places their claims for public consideration on so sub¬ 
stantial a basis. Fashion, however, it may be opposed, 
has had more to do with the movement than its abstract 
economical importance. But though ready to acquiesce 
in the belief that what has been termed “ tbe fowl 
mania,” would have been restricted to a more limited 
sphere of action had not fashion and fancy been in¬ 
cluded in its recommendations, we resolutely abide by ( 
our oft-expressed opinion, that neither the one nor the 
other of these motives would have advanced poultry¬ 
keeping to its present position, had not the necessity of 
improvement, and its probable emolument in the simple 
form of a portion of the agriculturist’s stock-in-trade 
been satisfactorily demonstrated. 
If we admit that the Poultry Show has done good 
service as an advertisement of our cause, its value in 
conducting us to a just estimate of comparative merit 
and value arc not less apparent. The arbitrations, 
indeed, of even the Birmingham judges, do not carry 
conviction to the mind of every exhibitor or spectator, 
and it would be contrary to every-day experience in 
matters of a similar nature, to suppose that they should 
possess such overruling influence. But in many in¬ 
stances previous opinions do thus undergo a change, 
and long-cherished but erroneous convictions are either 
moderated, or altogether dismissed. 
It would be difficult, indeed, for the majority to de¬ 
cline the recognition of obvious superiority in a class of 
some eighty or a hundred pens, side by side, however 
sternly prejudice might have been blinded to per¬ 
suasion by the inspection, at intervals, of an equal 
number of specimens in their owner’s yards. 
That Poultry Exhibitions, therefore, have already 
achieved publicity, and thus directed attention to their 
March 20. 
peculiar object in a manner otherwise unattainable, and 
that they have, furthermore, placed us in the only safe 
path by which a just standard of merit may be gained, 
will scarcely be contested, and on these grounds then- 
public support might be reasonably solicited. But 
what may be anticipated of their further pi-ogress? 
Have they already effected all that is within their 
power? Are they without imperfection? Is there no 
ground to think that improvement may be practicable? 
To tbe subject matter of queries such as these lias 
our attention been long given, and our answers would 
confidently point to the present necessarily imperfect 
condition of even our most advanced and best-con¬ 
ducted Poultry Societies. 
Blame is not, indeed, to be attached to them on the 
score of tardy progress, inapplicability of means to their 
desired objects, illiberality, or other mismanagement of 
their affairs. From all such faults many of these 
bodies are eminently free, and, beyond this, what may 
now be required would not merely have been imprac¬ 
ticable, but also most (inadvisable at an earlier period. 
Their present great desideratum, the goal to which all 
their former course has tended, is the recognition of 
“one uniform and acknowledged standard of merit.” 
Such a compilation must include all branches of tbe 
poultry-yard, and however fully certain classes may havo 
already received the requisite attention for this purpose, 
the promulgation of a general summary would havo 
been hasty if undertaken at too early a date. It is not, 
however, claiming too much on behalf of the leading 
Exhibitions of the past year to urge, from what we 
have there witnessed, tbe perfect feasibility of carrying 
out such a plan, with the experience and knowledge 
now in the possession of those to whom such a task 
would naturally bo entrusted. Difficulties there doubt¬ 
less would be, but assuredly none that can be termed 
insuperable; none, perhaps, but such as would require 
for their adjustment any greater portion of time, ability, 
or experience, than might readily be suppliod for the 
work. If the points on which doubts are now chiefly 
heard be regarded, they will be found mainly to affect 
matters of but secondary importance: in some classes 
tbe precise form of the comb, and in othors minutiae of 
feather ; but the main principles are already sufficiently 
defined to render the task of easy accomplishment, if 
undertaken by competent authorities, and the proper 
feeling. We may now do well what hitherto must have 
been done imperfectly ; and a body of gentlemen might 
be named, of moderate numbers, say from five to seven, 
as larger numbers might retard their labours, to whose 
authoritativo conclusions deference would be readily 
paid. Rules thus promulgated, need not, moreover, be 
formed on the basis of those of tbe Modes and Persians, 
for, either new breeds may hereafter require attention, 
or the varieties already known may appear suscoptible 
of further improvement, and under such circumstances 
the summons of the Committee of tbe Birmingham 
Society might most fitly bo held to constitute the re¬ 
quisite authority for any future reconsideration of the 
codo. 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
