THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, November 6 , 1860. 
rest are very long—nearly two-thirds of the twenty-four hours. 
A nother favourable point is, that it is an admitted fact, many pens 
of birds leave Bingley Hall in better condition than they enter 
it; also, that in going to the Crystal Palace they are not entering 
a close, confined, or a limited space, but a very large, airy, and 
; comfortable place, to become tenants of excellent cages supplied 
I with perches. We have felt it our duty to make inquiries, and 
we have received the satisfactory assurance that arrangements are 
made by which birds may be sent direct from Birmingham to 
S the Palace, or there will be time for them to visit their owners 
J between the two Shows. They will be received and well attended 
to on the 7th, 8th, 9th, or 10th of December, and nothing will 
be spared that can contribute to their comfort or well-doing. 
THE FIFTEENTH RULE of the BIRMINGHAM 
POULTRY SHOW. 
The following statement will, I think, further illustrate the 
truth of Mr. S. Barlow’s remarks in No. 630 of The Cottage 
Gardener relative to the 15th rule of the Birmingham Poultry 
Show. 
At. the late Crystal Palace Show I purchased Mr. Philpot’s pen 
of Brahmas, and have since purchased a third pullet, in order to 
be able to compete at Birmingham; but to my surprise I find 
it will cost me 22s. 6d. to do so. Being near home I have entered 
them for Devizes, which Show takes place on the 7tli inst. 
The entries for Birmingham close on the 1st; so that, if I enter 
for the latter and my pen should be sold at the former, my 
22s. fid. will be thrown away. 
It may be urged that I could put a prohibitory price on them, 
or, that if they fetch a good sum it would be an equivalent for 
the 22$. 6 d .; but this does not prove that the Birmingham 
charges are not high. 
What is the inference ? I keep my money in my pocket, and 
my birds at home, when they will undoubtedly be fresher and 
better prepared for the contest at the Crystal Palace, where I can 
exhibit them for the reasonable sum of 6$., and at a Show which 
I presume is second to none in the country.— Alfred Heath. 
ON THE MANAGEMENT OF POULTRY SHOWS. 
In fulfilment of a promise made to you some time since, I 
send some friendly remarks on the management of most of our 
Poultry Shows. I do so in a very friendly spirit, as I should 
like to see the present prosperous condition of the poultry 
movement continue. 
I will begin, then, with our leading Show— Birmingham. 
This Show is generally so well managed, and its prize list so 
liberal, that it is somewhat invidious to find fault. I should like, 
however, to see a class this year for Cochin-China hens and 
pullets. This reasonable request has so often been made by 
exhibitors, that I am surprised the managing Committee have not 
attended to it. I think, also, it would be a great convenience to 
purchasers of birds if the Secretary’s office were less crowded 
this year than it was last—if, in fact, no persons were admitted 
to the office except such as had come on business. Would it not 
be as well if it were to be understood that the names of pur¬ 
chasers of birds were not to be given up to any inquisitive person 
who wished to know them ? Last year one had only to ask and the 
name of the purchaser was given to you immediately. Now this 
is, I think, wrong, for it is not every gentleman who wishes his 
name to be given. I think that this Show will have eventually 
to reduce its high subscription entrance. Many exhibitors have 
complained to me that they would like to exhibit one or two 
pons of birds at Birmingham, but the £1 subscription was a 
hindrance to them. I see the same complaint has been recently 
made in The Cottage Gardener. However, such faults as I 
have found are but trifling, and every true lover of poultry looks 
forward to the Birmingham Show with great pleasure. 
The Crystal Palace. —A liberal prize list and excellent 
management are the characteristics of this Poultry Show. The 
Secretary does his best to cater for the amusement and conve¬ 
nience of the public. The only improvement I would suggest is, 
that Bantams should pay a smaller entranoe fee, unless, indeed, 
•our liliputian friends should receive better prizes. The managing 
Committee have been blamed for holding their winter Show 
so soon after Birmingham ; but their reason is, I think, a fair 
one—viz., that it is held at that time in consequence of the 
Smithfield Cattle Show being held then, and many persons will 
doubtless attend them both. I see the Secretary of the “ Palace 
Show,” as it is called, offers to receive birds direct from Bir¬ 
mingham—an offer which, for obvious reasons, is not likely to be 
accepted. 
Liverpool. —This is, par excellence, the most select of our 
Poultry Shows. Containing only a limited number of pens, 
nearly all of which are first rate, it is generally a great success. 
This is one of those Shows at which several members of the 
Committee exhibit their own birds. Now, this is fair and reason¬ 
able enough ; but I think it would be as well if exhibitors were 
informed that no gentleman on the Committee of the Show who 
exhibits is in the show-yard while the Judges are making their 
awards. I do not mean to insinuate for one moment that there 
is any unfairness, but I think some little explanation is due to 
the public. 
Sheffield. —There would not be a better Show in England 
than this if the management were somewhat improved. The 
Committee consist of only five members, two of whom are 
exhibitors. In a town like Sheffield, where there are so many 
admirers of poultry, the Committee of the Show should consist, 
at least, of fifteen or twenty members. 
(To he continued.) 
THE CANARY AND THE BRITISH FINCHES. 
(Continued from page 70.) 
12th Variety.—German Canary. 
The Canary from various accounts appears to have b:en first 
introduced into Europe through Italy; thence they have spread 
through the Tyrol into Germany. The Swiss and the Germans 
have been long famous for their Canaries. 
In the translation from the French of M. Hervieux, 1718, 
chap, xxi., page 126, is the following :— 
“ Some Germans resort to this city (Paris) twice a-year—that 
is, in spring and autumn, who bring over thousands of Canary 
birds from Tirol and the southern parts of Germany. But it 
is not to be believed, as some still do, that the Canary birds 
they bring are bred in the cold parts of Germany. As soon as 
they come people resort to them from all parts—some out of 
curiosity, to see whether they have any Canary birds that are 
not of the common sort, others go to lay out their money. 
These last are better received than the former; but when you 
go to ask questions of them concerning their Canary birds, or 
other such like affairs, without buying anything, they give you a 
very bad reception, and, in short, they use you very roughly, 
making good the proverb Point d’ Argent, point de Suisses; or 
no money, no Swiss ; but as soon as you show them the precious 
metal, without which the most ingenuous man is not valued—I 
say when they perceive you come to buy some of their Canary 
birds, they receive you very courteously, and in their broken 
