374 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, March 19, 1861. 
able Honorary Secretary, whose endeavours to give every satis¬ 
faction to both exhibitors and visitors cannot be spoken too 
highly of. He was, however, ably assisted by Dr. Sandford, and 
two more energetic officials would be difficult to find. 
Spanish. —First, H. Lane, 69, Milk Street, Bristol. Second, J. R. Rod- 
bard, Aldwick Court, Wrington. Third, J. K. Fowler, Prebendal Farm, 
Aylesbury. Commended, Master de la Saux Simmonds, Bishopstoke; 
G. Botham, Wexham Court, Slough, Bucks. 
Dorkings (Coloured).—First, R. W. Roberts, Trevol, Cornwall. Second, 
J. K. Fowler, Prebendal Farm, Aylesbury. Third, E. Burton, Truro. 
Game (any variety).—First and Third, Rev. G. S. Cruwys, Tiverton, 
Devon. Second, R. R. Sewell, M.B., Bridgewater, Somerset. Highly 
Commended, E. Burton, Truro, Cornwall. Commended, E. Burton, 
Cochins (any variety).—First, H. Tomlinson, Balsall Heath Road, Bir¬ 
mingham. Second, J. K. Fowler, Aylesbury. Third, T. Stretch, Marsh 
Lane, Bootle, Liverpool. Very Highly Commended, Mrs. B. J. Ford, 
Countess Weir, Exeter. Highly Commended, H. Benbow, Ham, Surrey ; 
Mrs. Everett, Gibralter Cottage, Monmouth (Partridge). Commended, 
Mrs. Everett (Buff) ; E. Pigeon, Lympstone, near Exeter, Devon. (The 
whole class excellent.) 
Hamburgh (Golden and Silver-spangled).—First withheld. Second, 
Mrs. Pettat, Ashe Rectory, Overton, Hampshire. Third, E. Pigeon. 
Hamburgh (Golden and Silver-pencilled).—First and Third withheld. 
Second, Sandford & Elliott, 5, Windsor Villas, Plymouth. 
Polands (any variety).—First, E. Carlyon, St. Austell, Cornwall. 
Second, Mrs. Pettatt, Overton, Hampshire. Commended, E. Burton. 
Brahma Pootra. —First, J. H. Craigie, Wood.ands, Chigwell, Essex. 
Second, G. Botham, Slough, Bucks. Highly Commended, .J. K. Fowler, 
Prebendal Farm. Aylesbury. 
Malays. —First and Second, C. Ballance, 5, Mount Terrace, Taunton, 
Somerset. Highly Commended, E. Burton, Truro, Cornwall. 
Minorcas.— First and Second, J. Bickoll,4, Portland Cottages, Plymouth. 
Ant other Distinct Breed.— First, Miss S. H. Northcote, Upton Pyne, 
Exeter. Second, Lady Louisa Thynne, Muntham Court, Worthing, Sussex. 
Highly Commended, H. Leworthy, Newport, Barnstaple. 
Bantams (Game).—First, W H. Oxland, Laira, Devon. Second, Sand¬ 
ford & Elliott, Plymouth. Third, J. R. Rodbard, Wrington, near Bristol. 
Highly Commended, R. L. Liscombe, Burleigh House, Plymouth, Devon; 
Mrs. Everett, Gibraltar Cottage, Monmouth. (Very good class.) 
Bantams (any other variety).—First, Rev. G. S. Cruwys, Tiverton. 
Second, Miss G. Everett, Gibraltar Cottage, Monmouth. Highly Com¬ 
mended, R. Everett. Commended, J. F- Mortimer, Mill Street, Plymouth. 
Ducks (Aylesbury).—First and Second, J. K. Fowler, Prebendal Farm, 
Aylesbury. Commended, F. H. Chubb, Plymouth, Devon. 
Ducks (any other variety).—First, E. Burton, Truro, Cornwall. Second, 
C. Ballance, Taunton, Somerset. Highly Commended, Hon. G> Howard, 
Charlton, Malmesbury, Wilts. 
PIGEONS. 
Carriers. —First, H. Holman, Alma Villa, Mannamead,Plymouth,Devon. 
Second, J. Chalker, Catherine Street, Plymouth. Third, W. Derry, 
Plymouth. Highly Commended, R. J. Wood, St. James’ Wood, Notting¬ 
ham ; J. Hart, 11, Princess Street, Plymouth. Commended, J. F. Mortimer, 
Mill Street, Plymouth; H. Holman, Alma Villa, Mannamead, Plymouth; 
J. Chalker, Catherine Street, Plymouth. 
Ant other Variety.— First, E. T. Archer, Forest Hill, Kent. Second, 
E. Pigeon, Lympstone, near Exeter, Devon. Third, J. F. Mortimer, Mill 
Street, Plymouth. Fourth, W. B. Jolly, St. Budeaux, near Plymouth. 
Highly Commended, J. Gilhard, 7, St. Aubyn Street, Devonport. 
CANARIES. 
Belgians. —First, Mrs. Sandford, Edgcumbe Terrace, Stoke, near Ply¬ 
mouth. Second, G. Crocker, 23, Queen Street, Plymouth. Third, G. King¬ 
ston, 51, Cobourg Street, Plymouth. Highly Commended, G. Crocker, 
23, Queen Street, Plymouth; Mrs. Sandford, Edgcumbe Terrace, Stoke, 
near Plymouth. Commended, Mrs. Sandford. 
RABBITS. 
For ant other Variett.— First, Miss L. Pasley, H.M. Dockyard, 
Devonport. Second, Miss M. Pasley, H.M. Dockyard, Devonport. 
Greatest Length of Ears.— Prize, S. Eastley, 6, Ham Street, Plymouth. 
Best Nest op Young Ones under Two Months Old. —Prize, S. J. 
Eastley, 6, Ham Street, Plymouth. 
SWEEPSTAKES FOR SINGLE COCKS. 
Spanish. —Prize, J. R. Rodbard, Aldwick Court, Wrington, near Bristol. 
Highly Commended, H. Lane, Milk Street, Bristol. 
Dorking.— Prize, Lady L. Thynne, Muntham Court, Worthing, Sussex. 
Game. —First, J. R. Rodbard, Aldwick Court, Wrington, near Bristol. 
Second, W. Rogers, Woodbridge, Suffolk. Third, H. Horton, Albert 
Cottage, St. John’s Worcester. Highly Commended, J. Smith, the Grove, 
Tagnton, near Gloucester; S. Matthew, Chilton Hall, Stowmarket. Com¬ 
mended, Miss S. H. Northcote, Upton Pyne, Exeter, Devon; Rev. G. S. 
Cruwys, Cruwys Morchard Court, Tiverton, Devon. 
Hamburgh. —Prize, E. Pigeon, Lympstone, near Exeter. 
Cochin-China (any variety).—Prize, T. Stretch, Marsh Lane, Bootle, 
Liverpool. Highly Commended, Sandford & Elliott, 5, Windsor Villas, 
Plymouth. 
Brahma Pootra;— Prize, J. H. Craigie, Woodlands, Chigwell, Essex. 
Highly Commended, J. H. Craigie, Woodlands, Chigwell, Essex. 
Mai,ats. —Prize, C. Ballance, 5, Mount Terrace, Taunton, Somerset. 
(Very first-rate bird.) 
Bantams (Game).—Prize, C. Ballance, 5, Mount Terrace, Taunton, 
Somerset. 
Judge of Poultry and Rabbits, S. Sainsbury, Esq., Devizes. 
Judge of Pigeons, Dr. W. J. Square, Plymouth. Judge of 
Canaries, Dr. Cookworthy, Plymouth. 
SILVER GREY DORKINGS. 
One of your observations on my communication calls for a 
reply. You state, “ We looked closely at the prize birds at 
Liverpool j there teas no white in the tail.’\ How our firtt 
authority on poultry could look closely at the pen and not see 
the white in the tail is marvellous! I will not attempt to meet 
assertion by counter-assertion, but at once state that I called 
the attention of the young man in charge of Mrs. Blair’s poultry 
to the fact, and he at once admitted the roots of the sickle- 
feathers to be white. The white in the tail was also pointed 
out to two of the Committee (both of them great poultry ex¬ 
hibitors) by one of the most successful breeders of Silver Greys. 
His statement is, that the sickle-feathers were white 5 inches 
up, and allowed to be so by the two members of the Committee. 
In my former letter I stated from 4 inches to 6 inches up ; but 
the bird is, I suppose to be seen, and I have no doubt Mrs. 
Blair can confirm my statement. 
On other points I think we agree—that a cock with a black 
breast and tail, and light hackle, although he may have a spot 
of chestnut on his saddle, is preferable to a bird with a dark 
hackle and free of the chestnut spot, while the light hackle 
without the chestnut is preferable to either. In my former 
communication I said nothing about hens. I agree in your 
remarks about silver hackles. Permit me to add, I think 
colour should be the prime consideration in Silver Greys, purity 
of feather being the main point; the next, that the birds should 
be of fair 3ize, but feather should always be first in importance. 
—A Breeder of Silver Greys. 
[We differ but little, and your tone is such that we wish we 
did not differ at all. We are agreed about the points and 
properties of the breed, but not about Mrs. Fergusson Blair’s 
pen. We still doubt the white feathers in the cock’s tail. Our 
opinions have not changed since the Show; and although w« 
looked critically at the class, we did not see that which we have 
aheays considered a disqualification in it. We hope at some 
time to be in discussion with you, where we shall not be wide as 
the poles asunder.] 
HATCHING SWANS’ EGGS. 
I have a pair of Swans under my charge. Last year they 
laid two eggs, but, being disturbed unavoidably, never attempted 
to hatch them, and they were in consequence spoiled. I have 
reason to believe I shall have eggs again this year early, and 
should be obliged for any advice as to hatching, rearing, and 
feeding the cygnets. Should the mother neglect them, would it 
be of any use to try hatching them under a hen or Duck ? They 
have a small island in the middle of the ornamental water, but it 
is small and not thickly wooded. I have a number of Muscovy 
Ducks there : they lay a great many eggs under the brushwood 
on the sides, and invariably hatch every egg. Last season I had 
a great many young Ducks so hatched that grew up with very 
little trouble and without loss.—J. T. 
[The old tradition is that a Swan can only hatch in a thunder 
storm. They sit nearly two months, and we believe sometimes 
longer. It is a very common thing for the hen to desert her 
eggs if she is disturbed, and she dislikes being even looked at. 
For these reasons she always makes her nest in a sheltered spot. 
If your island is bare, stick in some bushes, plant some ever¬ 
greens, and put some thatched hurdles to make a quiet and 
sheltered spot. Put some straw there, and she will sit well. 
If the time of sitting be prolonged, do not be tempted to disturb 
her by looking. The young are fond of meal, bread, lettuce, 
and crushed corn.] 
REMOVAL OE OLD QUEENS—FEEDING 
BEES NOW. 
“B. & W.” alludes to old queens which will have to be 
destroyed this season. I should be glad to know of what stand¬ 
ing they are. I conclude they belong to hives which are not 
permitted to swarm, having been informed that the old queen 
departs with the swarm, and is replaced by a young one. The 
reason for asking this question is that I have a hive, a swarm 
of 1859, which I hope to keep for some time without needing to 
be destroyed. 
My bees were first seen on the flowers on February 25th. I 
still have barleysugar on the top of the hive, which the bees do 
not appear to eat now, and I think of closing it in a week’g 
time. No pollen was visible on the bees on their return to the 
hive.—H. 
[“ B. & W.” does not sell hives ; but our correspondent will 
hear from him again should anything occur to induce him to 
