"tHE~COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, Ociobee SO, 1857. 
46 
sn an tried Porcelain as an established variety; that the 
Peach-coloured is produced by a cross between ^ Red or 
Fire-coloured and the Walnut-wood coloured; while this 
latter is also the produce of a cross between the W 
spangled Hyacinth and the Red or Fire- coloured-spangled 
Porcelain. The difference of all these varieties consists 
only in the colour of the spangles or spots on the outer web- 
of the scapular and wing covert feathers, the .f, 1 ’ 0 d 
being blue or slate - coloured, chequered with black, and 
spangled with one of these colours, which I hope I hav .e ex¬ 
plained with sufficient accuracy. Each of these sub-vaneti 
is found plain-coloured, or with white pinions. 
The mingling of the various shades of spangles produces 
some very beautiful coloured birds, and has a very pleasing 
effect.—B. P. Brent. 
POULTRY AND PIGEON SALE. 
Me. Stevens has resumed his rostrum, and his first sale 
is another proof of the truth of what we have always main¬ 
tained, that the cultivation of poultry and pigeons has °?' 
come deeply rooted, and is no more an ephemeral mama 
than the culture of beautiful flowers or profitable vegetables. 
The sale, as usual, consisted of some very good and some 
very bad fowls. As an example of the results that occur 
to the vendor by sending the latter we may state that o 
eiaht lots of Silver-pencilled Hamburghs one only sold at as., 
the experiment costing the owner about 10s. and the carriage. 
Mr. Johnson, of Farnham, sent some very good Golden- 
spangled Hamburghs. One cockerel sold at 41 10s.; two 
pullets at 18s. each. . n ,. 
Mr. T. Mason sent a few very promising early Cochin 
chickens, some realising 41 Is. each. 
The great attraction of the sale was the collection of pigeons 
from Messrs. Bult, Maddeford, Summerhayes, Tegetmeier, &c. 
Mr. Bult’s Poivters were, as usual, very superior, as may 
be inferred from the fact that the best six produced over 414. 
Mr. Maddeford’s collection included amongst others a 
very good pair of Yellow Dragons , which sold at 41 12s. 
Mr. Summerhayes sent some very fair Toys , and Mr. Teget- 
meier’s included a very good Barb hen at 14s., and some 
| good Hunts. 
That the collection of pigeons was of a very superior 
character may be inferred from the fact that there weie 
buyers in attendance from Sheffield, Bradford, Birmingham, 
Somerset, and from even as far north as Scotland. 
BLACK POLANDS. 
Eveey one doubtless has his own peculiar fancy, and in 
the poultry line individual ideas are, perhaps, carried out 
farther than in most other things. The bold bearing and 
graceful carriage of a Dorking cock gains him many triends, 
and I am far from detracting his claims; but I cannot say I 
admire his mates so much, as they not only lack the beautiful 
plumage, but they also are deficient of that dignity of 
motion which belongs to the male birds. The strut of a 
Bantam is also deserving of notice, and he takes every 
means to make himself so ; while the Spanish are by some 
regarded as the most aristocratic of the genus. Allowing 
all these their respective claims, I beg to put a word in on 
behalf of my favourite Black Polish with white topknots. 
The docility of these birds as well as their beauty, and, I 
may add, singularity of appearance, entitles them to rank 
higher in general estimation than they are often regarded. 
I am certain, too, that they exceed most other breeds in lay¬ 
ing; and where beauty and novelty are regarded as points 
of consequence these pretty objects must be favourites— 
the young chickens particularly so. I had an example of 
this a few days ago. Passing through a pasture field 
adjoining a poultry-yard I was struck with the appearance 
of little white objects moving to and fro in the grass, which 
could be distinctly seen more than a quarter of a mile off, 
and which, on a nearer approach, I discovered to be young 
Poland fowls, while some other breeds that were near were 
not perceptible at half the distance; neither did a closer 
acquaintance diminish the interesting appearance of these 
: singular birds. The purity of the white feathers forming 
1 the topknot contrasted so well with the plumage of the 
| bird, and equally so with the fresh turf over which they 
1 were rambling, that I confess myself more in love with Black 
1 
Polands having white topknots than with any other of the 
breeds of poultry which have increased so numerously witn 
us of late years.—W aesaw. 
DELAY IN SENDING DIRECTION LABELS. 
« W. H.” asserts that the remedy proposed by me, and 
inserted in a previous number of The Cottage Gardener, 
was simply impracticable for this reason—he says labels 
cannot be sent until all the certificates are received by the 
Secretary and the catalogues arranged. Now, I beg re * 
spectfully to differ from the views of Mr. W. H., and 
again assert that my proposal, although simple, was quite 
practicable. For instance, the fowls are all classed and the 
pens numbered, say Class 5, Dorkings, Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, &c.; 
Class 8, Polands, Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4. Mr. W. B., of Birming¬ 
ham, enters the Dorkings in Class 5,. Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4^ and 
Mr. J. P., of Gloucester, the Polands in Class 8, Nos. 1, 2, 
3, 4. Another exhibitor enters three more pens in the same 
classes, whose numbers would consequently be 5, 6, 7, in 
each class. Surely there could not be a more simple method 
of arranging a catalogue. "W hat is there to prevent the 
Secretary, on his receiving the entrance fees and description 
of the birds as above, forwarding the direction labels, 
classed and numbered as stated above, to each of the ex¬ 
hibitors who have entered their birds ? Why should he 
wait until all the certificates are received and the catalogue 
arranged ? By adopting my plan the Secretary would find 
it a great saving of time to himself; those persons only who 
delayed remitting their entrance fees and description of 
birds for show would be the sufferers; and those exhibitors 
who, not wishing to give more trouble than possible, by 
making early applications for entries and labels, would be 
free from all anxiety as to the early and safe delivery of their 
birds in time for the exhibition.— George Ray. 
THE 
SOUTH-WEST MIDDLESEX POULTRY 
SHOW. 
The fourth annual occurrence of this spirited Ex¬ 
hibition, which is in connection with - the Agricultural 
Society of the same name, took place on Wednesday, the 
14th, at Baron Rothschild’s estate, Acton. The poultry, 
though not remarkably numerous, was remarkably good. 
There was hardly a really indifferent pen to be seen in the 
collection. In Spanish Mr. Jones took first prize in both 
classes; and in Dorkings Mr. Eley, of Hounslow, swept 
away the four prizes, Mr. Breavington having a commenda¬ 
tion for a very good pen of old birds. In Buff Cochin- 
Mr. Jones first, Mr. Shackle second, for old and young birds. 
The cockerel in the first prize pen was a remarkably fine- 
coloured bird, having a perfectly pure buff tail. A good 
pen of White Cochins of Mr. Eley’s took first prize. The 
Brahma prizes were awarded to Mr. Breavington and Mr. 
Shackle for old, and to Messrs. Jones and Shackle for young 
birds. The Game prizes were all claimed by Baron L. de 
Rothschild, a very good pen of Brown Red chickens, from 
Mr. Hinge, of Hounslow, having been passed over without 
notice, probably in consequence of not having been dubbed. 
In Polish Mr. Jones, and in Hamburghs Mr. Breavington 
were successful, and the Ducks of the latter gentleman 
occupied their usual places as winners. Mr. Stafford, whose 
name is so well known in connection with Short Horns, 
took the prize for old Black Ducks ; Mr. Haynes for Geese. 
Some exceedingly good Pigeons were forwarded by Mr. 
Squire, of Hanwell, Mr. Esquilant, and Mr. Jones. 
The Judges of poultry were Messrs. Botham and Powell, and 
itis but justice to state that their awards were mostsatisfactory. 
OUR LETTER BOX. 
Pigeons (D. A. C .).—There is no cheaper work of authority than Mr. 
Eaton’s, but the contributions to our columns by Mr. Brent will be 
published soon in a separate form, and we have no hesitation in saying 
that they will be the best work that has ever been published upon the 
subject. If you refer to the prize-lists at Pigeon Shows you will see that 
the varieties named are rewarded equally ; but Almond Tumblers, Pow- 
ters, and Carriers are birds of the highest fancy. 
London: Printed by Hugh Barclay, Winchester High-street, in 
the Parish of Saint Mary Kalendar; and Publishedfor the Proprietor 
at The Cottage Gardener Office, No. 20, Paternoster Row, in 
the Parish of Christ Church, City of London.—October 20 , 1857 * 
