110 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN’S COMPANION, May 19, 1807. 
praiseworthy, than among the few. I cannot subscribe to a 
system that has for its only tendency the introduction and 
subsequent exaltation of wealthy purchasers; they no doubt 
suit the interests of those from whom they purchase, but 
they as undoubtedly militate against the welfare of the poultry 
community at large, and I maintain that private interests 
must give way to public weal. The highest bidder ought 
not to obtain supremacy at the expense of equally meri¬ 
torious, though more humbly situated, aspirants to public 
distinctions; I mean there should not necessarily be any 
undue advantage of the wealthy amateur over his poorer 
yet equally laudable competitor. In short, if plate prizes ot 
unusual value are to be continuously secured by a very 
i select few of our amateurs, as being the certain result of 
1 unfettered outlay, can the amateur of humble, means hope 
to aspire to such distinctions ? These, then, were my sole 
and avowed reasons for suggesting the principle of marks, 
to determine, without exception, in all such cases, plate 
prizes for monster collections, as they tether the power of 
these perfect Goliaths against little poultry exhibitors. The 
plan, where adopted and really carried, out, has invariably 
! succeeded, as witness the Exhibitions of Bridgnorth, South- 
well, and the Notts Central; but confessedly, where it was 
originally agreed to at the onset, and afterwards abandoned 
when the result did not show tide-favour to particular 
parties, causing ill feeling and severances. This is in 
no way surprising; for, however unpalatable the sugges¬ 
tion, to compromise principle, if proving adverse to friendly 
associations, ought never to be countenanced even where 
attempted, as consequent disrupture and exposure must 
j inevitably ensue. 
Where marks, or points, as they are sometimes called, are 
| strictly adhered to, proportioning the points in the aggregate 
according to the already awarded prizes in the general 
classes, the caprice (for I will not avail myself of any more 
expressive term) of the arbitrators avails not. Their previous 
decisions determine arithmetically who is eventually to carry 
away this most valued premium. It is quite useless to 
deny that all Poultry Judges who happen to frequently 
adjudicate must inevitably know well the individuality of 
many of the principal prize birds; it is impossible it should 
be otherwise. If, then, they are permitted to determine, 
without any reference or respect whatever to their just 
appointed decisions, the future ownership of rewards so 
valuable, depending, as they ought, on “ collections,” not 
single pens, tests will naturally, by the unsuccessful, be 
applied very closely to their conclusions; their propriety 
frequently disputed and given in contrariety to decisions 
arrived at only a few hours previously; they may urge their 
complaint with manifest reason and justice also. I con¬ 
tend, therefore, let every prize pen, according to its position 
on the general prize-list, compete with equal hope of suc¬ 
cessful issue, whatever the variety. If easily-obtained breeds 
succeed the chances are that they will be only the more 
sought after and encouraged; but certainly, if Judges are 
permitted to appoint position to fowls solely for costing 
great outlay, the multitude of exhibitors, who cannot afford 
to pay for principal plate premiums, are precluded entirely 
from winning—a dogma I, for one, must strenuously oppose. 
—Edward Hewitt, Eden Cottage , Spar kb rook, Birmingham. 
POULTRY SHOWING IN AUSTRALIA. 
We are very glad to find that the improvement of the 
breeds of domestic fowls has become an object of interest 
on the other side of our globe, and that even Agricultural 
Societies are offering premiums there to encourage such 
improvements. Their goings on at present are rather rough, 
but the spirit of progress is advancing in that direction, and 
to have taken the first step is satisfactory. Our readers will 
be amused, as we were, with the following, taken from the 
Sydney Mominy Herald's report of the proceedings at the 
Illawarra Agricultural Society’s Annual Show in February 
Inst l 
Poultry. W e have witnessed some eight or nine Agri¬ 
cultural Shows in this district, but we can with safety say 
that none have come up to the present in the quality of the 
poultry. More we might have seen, but certainly none to 
equal those exhibited on Thursday in quality. The only 
regret we had when looking at them was, that the place was 
not better adapted to show them. It is not certainly the best 
way to exhibit their plumage or form to tie a couple together 
and lay them on the floor. They ought to have pens suffi¬ 
ciently large for them to move about with freedom.” 
Our Australian friends are nearer than we are to Java and 
Borneo, in the interior of one or both of which islands it has 
been stated fowls are existing of a size far larger than any 
known at present in Europe. We wish that our said friends 
would institute inquiries about them. 
DUCKWING GAME BANTAMS. 
I have long been a warm supporter and fancier of Game 
fowls, and often had to fight hard to maintain for them that 
position amongst the fancy they so richly and deservedly 
merit. But another race appears to be brought before our 
notice, as yet a comparatively hidden one. I allude to the 
“Duckwing Game Bantams,” which I am sorry to say 
“ Dandy” passes over so very summarily. “ Dandy” briefly 
tells us they are the facsimile of the Duckwing Game, and 
that they are scarce and command a high price. Many are 
aware of this, yet, in spite of the price, would, I believe, he 
glad to purchase them. Could or would “ Dandy,” or any of 
your correspondents, inform me how they are to be bred, 
and of their original stock ? This class is yet, in my humble 
opinion, to form a great attraction to our shows, and will ere 
long carry the laurels from some of their diminutive neigh¬ 
bours who have so long reigned triumphant.— Merry Legs. 
PRESCOT POULTRY SHOW. 
The Fourth Annual Exhibition of Poultry will take place 
at Prescot on Thursday, July 9th. Eight Silver Cups of the 
full value of five guineas each will be awarded, besides money 
prizes. An additional Silver Cup of the value of five guineas 
will be given by the Secretary for the best Game Cock of 
any variety. Entries must be made on or before Thursday, 
June 25th, and all birds must he at the place of exhibition 
before 7 p.m. on the 8th of July. Every care will be tahen of 
the birds, and they will be forwarded home immediately on 
the close of the Show, and the prizes promptly paid. 
Any information required, together with schedules and 
forms of entry, can be obtained from J. F. Ollard, Esq., 
Hon. Sec. 
OUR LETTER BOX. 
Unprolific Eggs (T. W. Wrench ).—Sixteen chickens out of 120 
eggs is indeed a small return; but how can we tell the cause without 
knowing full particulars ? Too many hens in proportion to the cocks, 
improper sitting places, old or injured eggs, and many other circum¬ 
stances may be the cause. Shutting the sitting hen* up in boxes and 
feeding them in the boxes is a cruel mode of treating the hens, which 
ought to cause failure if it does not. When a hen sits herself she makes 
her nest upon the ground, or some other place where damp can get to 
the eggs, and comes off daily to refresh herself and the eggs too. 
Chilled Eggs of Golden Pheasant (A Constant Subscriber ).— 
Eggs sat upon for five days and then left for twenty-four hours will not 
be spoilt probably. 
I( Parrots, &c., BitiNg off their Feathers ( H . M. B.)— When 
‘ an unlimited supply of water" to the bird was recommended as a cure 
for this habit, such a supply of water was intended as the bird can 
bathe m. 
Artificial Hatching (J . L .) —There is no difficulty in hatching 
chickens by either Cantello’s or Minasi’s apparatus. They might be had 
of any size, but we forget the price. We speak in the past tense because 
we know not where these most unprofitable incubators are now to be 
obtained. 
National Columbarian Club. —The secretary is Mr. Wrench 
Towse, and not Twose, as stated in our last. 
Spanish Cock Diseased {An Essex Amateur).— Your bird seems 
to have the roup. The following is the treatment recommended in our 
“““I’ ‘‘Poultry Book for the Many," just published, price 6d., and 
which you will not repent buying:—“Wash the head daily, or twice 
any, with tepid water. Sulphate of copper, one grain, daily, mixed in 
oatmeal mashed with ale. Give plenty of green food. Separate the 
towl from all others ; the disease is contagious. If not better within a 
week kill the fowl.” 
^y Hugh Barclay, Winchester High-street, in 
ar ri Mar y Kalendar; and Published for the Proprietors 
L HE . V°^. TAG ? Gardener Office, No. 20, Paternoster Row, in 
the Parish of Christ Church, City of London.—May 19, 1857. 
