THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COENTRY GENTLEMAN, Eebeuaey 19, 1861. 
312 
In figs. 1 and 3, tlie figured heights differ by half an inch, 
which allows of the play required by the hinges of the front door, 
and does not confuse the elevation by too many pieces. 
B 
Should any of your readers require any further information, 
1 shouid be happy to give it.—F. C. Hassabd, Gatcomb Souse , 
Silsea. 
NANTWICH POULTRY EXHIBITION. 
The second annual Meeting of this Society took place on 
February 8tli and 9tli, and proved one of the best local Exhibi- 
tions of poultry we have yet attended. All that the most un¬ 
tiring energy of a Committee could effect was carefully adopted. 
Indeed, though few in numbers, we never saw a body of gentle¬ 
men that worked together so harmoniously, or parties who more 
truly deserved the success they have attained. A somewhat 
peculiar feature of this Show is, that all competition is limited 
to residents within thirteen miles of Nantwicli. Erom this cause 
it might hastily be inferred that the perfection of the specimens 
entered, as a whole, would be materially deteriorated. The result 
proves directly opposed to such an anticipation ; for throughout 
the whole Show scarcely an indifferent pen could be selected. 
The town Hall, in which the Show is held, is a very excellent 
building for the purpose, and the manner in which the pens 
were arranged left no room for grumbling as to advantages of 
position. The whole building was tastefully decorated” with 
large festoons of evergreens and artificial flowers, and the scru¬ 
pulous neatness and cleanliness that prevailed might serve as a 
useful lesson to all bodies engaged in like pursuits. An excellent 
plan to prevent the occupants of adjacent pens from fighting 
was carried opt, by simply placing small sheets of galvanised 
non between the pens, fitted so as to project about two inches 
and a half in front; and to prove the utility of this arrangement, 
although the Exhibition ranked very highly in Game fowls, not 
a S ri.', g ' C 0 blrd . exlliblte d eyen a scar, for fighting was impracticable. 
The Spanish classes contained many unusually good specimens; 
but the cocks boro most convincing proofs of the ill effects of 
the severe frost of last mouth, most of them (and even some of 
the hens), haying been severely frost-bitten, both in the combs 
and feet likewise. The White, and also the Grey Dorkings were 
excellent, and shown in the best condition we have seen them 
this year. Among the Cochins were to be found perfect pens of 
both I artndge-coloured, White, and Buff ones. The White 
ones were peculiarly good. 8 It is impossible to speak more highly 
than deserved of the Game classes throughout—every known 
bi’ced had here worthy representatives ; but, as is commonly the 
case at this season of the year, the “ Brown Reds ” showed the 
j highest condition when tested in hand. We entertain litt’e 
doubt we shall hear of many of tl e 
winners at Nantwicli among the principal 
prizetakers of the coming season. Tl e 
Polands and Samlurglis were first-rate, 
and the Silver-spangled Hamburglis and 
Black Polands were especially so. Game 
Bantams mustered strongly, and we par¬ 
ticularly noticed several of the pens 
as containing the most perfect speci¬ 
mens of Black-breasted Red hens con¬ 
ceivable. 
In no division of the Show was more 
general excellence than in the classes for 
Geese , Ducks , and Turkeys , the weight 
of most of the pens being convincing 
proof of superior care and good manage¬ 
ment. 
In the “extra class,” many pens of 
which were entered simply for sale, 
were some capital Spanish hens, and 
from its singularity few objects seemed 
to attract visitors’ attention more de¬ 
cidedly than a pen of English hen Phea¬ 
sants, that their fan’ owner had rendered 
prominently conspicuous, by tying round 
the neck of each a piece of broad magenta- 
coloured ribbon with a double bow at 
front. This might possibly be intended 
simply as a playful “jogging the me¬ 
mory ” of lady visitors, by a direct hint 
as to Coventry necessities. It caused 
much merriment to all parties save the 
unfortunate birds, which seemed scarcely 
to appreciate the object of so much com¬ 
pulsory finery and display. 
The show of Pigeons and Singing Birds was superior to that 
°* last year. 
Mr. Edward Hewitt, of Sparkbrook, officiated as the Judge 
of poultry on the occasion. We published the prize list last 
week. 
OUR LETTER BOX. 
Evergreen fob, Pheasantry (J. TL. S.). —We know nothing of your 
soil or situation, but either a tree box, holly, or Berberis aquifolium would 
do without any chance of their leaves injuring the birds. 
Hens Losing their Throat Feathers ( TV. J.).— Ypu will find an 
answer to a similar query in No. 645, page 2S0. 
Hen-houses, Right to Remove {Sussex Higher). —The corner-posts and 
door-posts being let into the soil render the hen-houses fixtures- They are 
attached to the freehold, and, in legal strictness, the landlord might pre¬ 
vent you removing them. However, if the houses were needed for carry¬ 
ing on your business, and you are merely a yearly tenant, it is very 
doubtful if the landlord would recover damages if he sued you for re¬ 
moving them. The Courts always decide upon such a case according to its 
own circumstances. 
Angora Rabbits [T. C. C ., Birkenhead). —There have appeared some very 
interesting papers on the Angora Rabbit, and I have no doubt they may 
be kept for profit. I have not bred many of this species, but I have 
found them sell well. They are said to be very delicate in constitution, 
but they have not proved so with me. I had a pet buck of the above 
breed which lived in the garden ; wet or dry you could see him about 
and often sharing the kennel with my dog. In a few weeks I shall have 
a few to offer foqsale, which will be advertised.—R. S. S. 
Bees Dying this Winter (G. S. M .).—It is impossible to pronounce 
positively as to the cause of this catastrophe without examining the in¬ 
terior of the hives. If the bees were insufficiently protected from cold, 
this want would have been best supplied by surrounding their domiciles 
with some non-conducting substance without removing them from their 
places. We are, however, more disposed to attribute their deaths to star¬ 
vation during the late severe weather, which probably put a stop to their 
appropriation of the barleysugar. Had your stocks been liberally fed 
either on honey or syrup in October until the contents of each hive 
reached from 20 lbs. to 25 lbs., they would probably have gone through the 
winter as well as those belonging to a correspondent who wiites from the 
neighbourhood of Manchester, and tells us that having four strong stocks 
he “ in September gave to each of them 25 lbs. weight "of food.” He adds, 
‘ 1 am rejoiced to find all of them are in first-rate condition, while my 
neighbours and friends within two or three miles have found it an awful 
winter for their favourites.” 
