90 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY 
engage the country people to imagine lie kept an enchanted j 
castle. 
“ Some people disapprove this sort of Pigeon as apt to 
vitiate their other strains, by making a hen squat by these 
antic gestures; but, in fact, they are no more dangerous that 
way than-any other breed when salacious.” 
1 think it is much to he regretted that a breed of Pigeons 
so remarkable for their odd movements and the peculiarity 
of “ the tuft of feathers which run down the neck not unlike 
a horse’s mane,” which seem to mark them as a distinct 
variety, should be allowed to pass away and be numbered 
with the have been’s.—B. P. Brent, Dulling ton , Sussex. 
p.S.—Can any correspondent or reader of The Cottage 
Gardener inform me if any of these Pigeons—Smiters, 
Turners, or Finnikins—are in existence, or procurable in 
this country? 
COMBS OR NO COMBS—THAT IS THE 
QUESTION. 
I must trespass on your columns for the purpose of 
replying to “ C. E. C.,” in whom I think I recognise our 
greatest Poland breeder". A comb in the Poland, according 
to him, is the greatest possible defect and imperfection. 
Now, every one must acknowledge that a natural state of 
things is preferable in all matters connected with live stock 
to an artificial. Assuming this to be correct, therefore, in 
Polands also it holds good. I am sure all will agree that 
naturally Polands had the shaped combs which excite the 
horror and wrath of “ C. E. C.” and your amiable corre¬ 
spondent “ Perruquier.” May I be pardoned if I give a few 
of the benefits accruing from combs in Poland fowls ? The 
combs support the crest, and prevent it falling over the 
eyes, and although this may be “ an impudent malforma¬ 
tion,” still it does not give the blinded appearance some 
birds have. 
The combless birds appear wretchedly uncomfortable, 
and, from the great crest falling over the eyes, cannot see to 
feed properly, nor, when pecked (which all other fowls do 
when they are kept with Polands) at their crests, can they 
defend themselves easily. Again, in the madness some 
people have to breed combless birds, they care not whether 
the birds are diseased or deformed.— The Comb Champion, 
OUR LETTER BOX. 
Choice of Golden-spangled Hamburgh Cocks. —“ I have two 
cocks of the Golden-spangled Hamburghs, one black-breasted, with 
large comb,the other spangled-breasted, with comb rather smaller. Which 
would you advise me to exhibit at a Poultry Show ?”—A Subscriber. 
[As it is quite possible for a Spangled Hamburgh cock to have too 
much comb, and as a black breast is a defect, we have no hesitation in 
advising you to exhibit the spangled-breasted bird. The whiteness of 
the deaf ear should weigh in your selection, as, however good the cock 
may be in other respects, he will not get a prize if his deaf ear is red.] 
Mixture of Black and White Bantams. —“My White Bantam 
cock is perfection ; my Black Bantam hen ditto. If I mate them, will 
the chickens be speckled, or some black and some white? My object is 
to get black. I have no experience in Bantams.”—W. H. 
[The probable result of your cross will be pied or patchy birds. You 
will yet none quite self-coloured. The two colours are in such decided 
opposition that we should not advise the cross. If you wish for Black 
birds, and have any friend who keeps them, and who would allow her to 
run for a day or two with his, send her there, or hire a cock for a month 
of some dealer. They are not expensive to buy.] 
Hatching Chickens.—Green Food for them. —“This season I 
was very particular with the hens I set, so much so, that I took a house for 
the purpose, the first floor above a weaver’s shop. I have, however, been 
particularly unsuccessful, and have seldom got more than four or six 
chickens out of each sitting. It has been suggested that the shaking of 
the floor by the working of the looms might prevent the eggs from 
hutching. Will you or any of your correspondents advise me as to this, 
so that I may avoid such a loss of eggs again ? I find a great difficulty in 
getting green food for my poultry just now. Can you put me upon a 
plan to procure the proper kind?”—L. 
[It is impossible to say, in the absence of comparative experiments 
whether agitation such as you mention would be injurious to incubation^ 
Probably it would, for we know that hens select quiet and solid places 
for their nests. Besides, it is quite certain that on or near the ground, 
whence a gentle moisture may ascend to the eggs, is the situation of al! 
others most lavourable for a hatching nest. Mustard and Rape sown ir 
boxes or elsewhere would speedily produce green and wholesome foot 
GENTLEMAN’S COMPANION, May 12, 1857. 
for your chickens. Mowings of grass chopped into very small pieces are 
also good for them.] 
Diseased Runt.—Capuchin Pigeon. —“ I have a Runt that has 
the egg-bag touching the ground as slie walks. She seems in good 
health, and is as lively as any of the rest. Is there any way of curing 
it ? Could you tell me the characteristics of a good pair of Capuchins ?” 
-H. M. 
[Mr. Moore, in his “Columbarium,” says of the disease called by the 
fancy “ navel fallen,” “There is a kind of bag hanging down near the 
vent. This malady is generally desperate, and if giving the pigeon 
clary (a kind of sage), or some other strengthening things, will not cure 
it, I know nothing that will.” We do not know if this is the same 
complaint as that of “ H. M.’s” pigeon. I once had a common hen 
pigeon similarly affected with protrusion of the egg-passage, and as I 
knew of no cure I killed her. I expect it arises from some internal 
rupture or weakness, perhaps owing to laying too frequently. Ca¬ 
puchins are simply imperfect Jacobins; that is to say, they are 
without the chain, and most likely are only a cross from that breed 
more or less remote. A neat hood, pearl eye, clean white head, tail, and 
flights are their chief characteristics.—B. P. B.] 
Characteristics of a Rouen Drake. —“I have three Mallards, 
one of which weighed at ten months old six pounds and a quarter, and 1 
the only fault I can see in him is the bill, which is blue, being marked 
with darker spots. The other two are less in size, but one has a green 
bill with black hook. My Ducks, I believe, are perfect. Which should I 
show with them, the blue-spotted or the green-bill Mallard ?”—A Con¬ 
stant Subscriber. 
[Rouen Ducks should be exactly like Wild Ducks, only larger. The 
bill of the Drake should be of a greenish yellow. You must not show 
the bird with the blue-spotted bill.] 
LONDON MARKETS.— May 11th. 
COVENT GARDEN. 
Supply adequate to the demand, but not nearly to equal what we 
usually have at this season. Forced fruits comprise Pines, Grapes, 
Strawberries, Peaches, and Cherries, all of which may be had at last 
week’s rates. Forced vegetables consist of French Beans, frame 
Potatoes, and a few Tomatoes, which are very useful at this time of year. 
From the Continent we have received during the week large consign¬ 
ments of Asparugus, young Carrots, Beans, Green Peas, and Arti¬ 
chokes, in excellent condition ; and from Cornwall and the Scilly Islands 
Asparagus, Broccoli, Bound, and Kidney Potatoes, and a few early Pens. 
FRUIT. 
Apples, kitchen, per 
bush. .... 88. ,, 12s. 
,, dessert, do.. 12s. ,, 20s. 
Pears, over 
Pine-apples, per lb... 8s.,, 12s. 
Grapes, perlb. 10s, ,, 20s. 
Peaches, per doz. Os. ,, Os. 
Nectarines, do. Os. ,, Os. 
Strawberries, peroz... fid. „ Is. 
,, Foreign, none 
Melons, Foreign,none 
,, English, do. 
Morello Cherries, per lb. Os. ,, Os. 
Oranges, per 100 .... 4s. ,, 12s. 
„ Tangerine, none 
,, Seville, do... 6s.,, 12s. 
Lemons. 6s. ,, 10s. 
Almonds, per lb. .. 2s.fid. ,, 4s. 
Nuts, Filberts, none 
,, Cobs, per lb. Is. 6d. ,, 0s. 
,, Barcelona,per 
bushel. 20s. to 24s. 
Nuts, Brazil, ditto.. 14s. ,, l6s. 
Walnuts, per 1000 .. 10s. ,, 15s. 
Chestnuts, per bushel 16 s. ,, 24s. 
Beet, per doz. Is. to 6s. id. 
Potatoes, per cwt. .. 7s. to 10s. 
Onions, Y’ng per b’nch 4d. ,, fid. 
,, Old, per bush. 3s. ,, 4s. fid. 
Turnips, per bunch.. 3d. ,, 4d. 
Leeks,perbunch .... 2d. ,, 3d. 
Garlic, per lb. 6d. ,, 8d. 
Horseradish, per 
bundle. 2s. ,, 4s. 
Shallots, per lb. 6d. „ 8d. 
Lettuce,Cos,each,French 6d.,, is. 
,, Cabbage, do. do. — ,, l£d. 
Endive, do. do. — ,, 4d. 
Celery,per bunch.... 9d.to ls.6d. 
Radishes,Turnip, per 
dozen bunches .... — ,, 4s. 
Ditto, long, per hund.. — ,, 6d. 
Water Cresses, per doz. 9<1* to Is. 
Small Salad, per 
punnet. 2d. ,, 3d. 
Artichokes, per lb. — ,, 2d. 
Asparagus, per bundle 4s. ,, 8s. 
Sea-kale,per punnet.. Is. ,, 2s. 
Rhubarb, per bundle 2d. ,, 4d. 
Cucumbers,each.... 9d* to ls.6d. 
Mushrooms,perpottle Is. ,,2s. 
VEGETABLES. 
Cabbages, each 9d. to Is. fid. 
,, Red, each 3d.to6d. 
Cauliflowers, each.... 6d. ,, Is. 
Broccoli, pei bdle. Is. 3d to Is. 9d- 
Greens, per doz. bnch. 2s. ,, 4s. 
Spinach, per sieve .. — ,, 4s. 
FrenchBeans, per hd. Is. ,, 2s. 
Carrots, per bunch .. 5d.to7d> 
Parsnips, per doz,,.. 9d.,, Is. 
HERBS. 
Basil, per bunch ....' 
Marjoram, per bunch 
Fennel, per bunch .. 
Savory, per bunch .. 
Thyme, per bunch .. 
Parsley, perbunch .. 
Mint, per bunch .... 
Green Mint . 
4d.to fid. 
4d. ,, 6d. 
2d. ,, 3d. 
2d. ,, 3d. 
2d. ,, 3d. 
2d. ,, 3d. 
2d. ,, 4d. 
fid. ,, 8d. 
POULTRY. 
Young poultry is slowly coming in. Trade is dull, especially for goods 
of inferior quality. 
Large fowls.. 7s. Od, to 8s. Od. each. 
Smaller do.5s. to 6s. Od. ,, 
Chickens .. 3s. Od. to 4s. 6d. ,, 
Goslings.Cs. to 6s. fid. „ 
Ducklings.. 4s. Od. to 4s. 6d. ,, 
Plovers’ Eggs in bulk. 
Guinea Fowls 4s. Od. to 4s. 6d. each. 
Pigeons .9d. to lOd. ,, 
Rabbits.... Is. 4d. to Is. 5d. ,, 
Wild ditto...... lOd.to lid. ,, 
Leverets.... 3s. Od. to 4s. fid. ,, 
Is. 9d. to 2s. 6d. per dozen. 
London: Printed by Hugh Barclay, Winchester High-street, in 
the Parish of Saint Mary Kalendar; and Published for the Proprietors 
at The Cottage Gardener Office, No. 20, Paternoster Row, in 
the Parish of Christ Church, City of London.—May 12, 1857, 
