207 
GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, December 29, 1857. 
living lessons to all exhibitor in beauty of plumage and con¬ 
dition. The prizes have been sown broadcast. We have a 
THE COTTAGE 
January 20th, 21st, and 22nd. Liverpool, Rees., G. W. Moss and 
W. C. Worrall, Esqrs. Entries close Dec. 19th. 
Ff.druary 3rd and 4th, 1858. Preston and North Lancashire. 
Secs.j Mr. R. Tcebay and Mr. II. Oakey, 25, Fishorgate, Preston. 
Entries close January 16th. 
Fehruary 10th and 11th. Ulvkrstone. Rees., T. Rohinson, and J. 
Kitchin, Esqrs. Entries close January 25th. 
N.B .—-Secretaries will oblige us by sending early copies of their lists. 
THE PAST YEAR’S DOINGS. 
We have now to take a review of the past year as con¬ 
nected with the poultry movement. There have been many 
and great changes ; some Shows have fallen, others have risen. 
An entirely new system has been tried in some places, viz., 
to increase the charges for entry, and to augment the prizes. 
Like many first attempts, they have not all succeeded. It 
may have been that the summer is not a favourable time; or, 
that Shows for chickens only are difficult to fill; or, that too 
much was attempted at first. Either one, or all of these 
causes together, operated against them. It is more than 
probable, that the experience gained at Gloucester and 
Worcester, will bear good fruit at some future time. We 
believe the latter paid all its expenses, hut the former was 
notoriously a great loss to its projector. 
The Crystal Palace has had two successful Shows during 
the year. It is now well established, and in high favour with 
the public. It is so deservedly. 
Liverpool had, as usual, a well-conducted and prosperous 
Exhibition. The gentlemen forming the Committee at this 
place, are enterprising, and experienced. A new class was 
opened here last January, of which we shall have to speak 
hereafter. 
The Royal Agricultural Society’s Show, at Salisbury, was 
good in quality, but not numerous. There were restrictions 
that acted against exhibitors. These should be removed; and, 
we shall hope to see the numbers of entries considerably 
increased, and this Show taking the position it ought to 
occupy. 
Birmingham has this year surpassed itself, and remains 
“ the Show of Shows.” 
Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, are all increasing the number 
of their exhibitions ; and poultry is becoming a necessity at 
all agricultural meetings. The only disputed point on which 
we will touch, is the question, whether it be better for a Show 
to have many prizes, or a smaller number of greater value. 
This has been frequently discussed in our columns. We 
think it is difficult to lay down any rule of general application. 
Where numerous entries are sought, it is plain that the object 
is more likely to be attained by a large number of prizes ; but 
where a few only are required, and those of the highest class, 
we think valuable prizes and high entries will be found to 
succeed. There has never been a year since the institution of 
Poultry Shows, when the chief prizes have been so scattered 
about, as in 1857. 
Coloured Dorkings have improved, although we last year 
doubted whether it were possible. They have increased 
in size, without apparently sacrificing any point to do so. 
They have continued to supply the most n um erous class to 
every exhibition. New names have not been wanting among 
the successful; but the great prize of the year, the Birming¬ 
ham piece of Plate, went to an old and successful exhibitor, 
Captain Hornby. 
The Spanish have continued favourites ; and, although as a 
class, they have improved, yet we not think we have seen 
any pens so good as those Mr. Davies showed tw'o years 
since. It is a work of time for anyone to get perfect Spanish 
fowls. Here, again, new names appeared successfully; and 
Mr. Fowler, of Aylesbury, took the Bingley Hall Plate. 
Polands have greatly improved, especially the Golden- 
spangled. Clear tails were last year insisted upon; they 
have been produced in many cases, and we expect they will 
be general in 1860. Mr. Greenall, of Grappenhall, had all 
the success at the Birmingham Show. 
The Golden and Silver-pencilled Hamburghs are perfect. 
In the former, the prizes have travelled everywhere; but, 
wherever he has shown, those for the latter have gone to 
Mr. Archer, of Malvern. This gentleman’s success at Bingley 
Hall has not, we think, ever been equalled. 
Game Fowls, as usual, have, throughout the year, been 
pleasmg recollection of the discussion on these birds in the 
early part of the year by some amateurs, who brought not 
only knowledge, but good temper, to bear on their peculiar 
“ penchants.” 
The Cochins cannot be said to have unproved ; but they 
have made progress as compared with the last two or three 
years; and we have seen buds that would not have disgraced 
their former high estate. We may speak of the Grouse and 
Partridge in terms of the highest praise ; the White showed 
better as chickens, than they have as adults : but the Black 
make no progress ; and unleps their admirers will bestir them¬ 
selves, Committees cannot be expected to continue a class 
that always entails a loss. 
Spangled Hamburghs are fast becoming perfect ; and the 
deficiencies and defects that were pointed out in 1856, have 
been remedied in 1857. These birds show what can be done 
by careful breeding. 
White Dorkings are evidently gaining that size which they 
have hitherto lacked. 
The Brahma Pootras have shown good birds ; but the old 
class at Birmingham disappointed their admirers. 
Good Gold-laced Bantams have been shown everywhere, 
and we think they have been better than they were last year; 
but unless pains be taken with the Silvers, they will disappear; j 
all those exhibited under that name, are nearly yellow, and 
lack that beautiful colour of frosted silver, which should he 
the ground of their plumage. 
The Game Bantams have increased in numbers and in 
merit. No one who saw the display of them at Birmingham, 
will easily forget it; and we may look for every shade and 
colour of the Game Fowl in these, their diminutive brethren. 
There must be a limit to all things ; and thi9 will, perhaps, 
explain why there has been no increase in the weight of Geese 
and Ducks. But let us not be thought to speak disparagingly 
of these classes. Taking the year throughout, w T e think the 
Aylesbury Ducks have not been so heavy as in 1856. The 
heaviest of the Rouens are almost always faulty hi some par¬ 
ticular. No one now attains the weight that was common 
formerly with Mr. H. Worrall. 
The Turkeys have been unusually good; and the weights 
attained by the grey birds have been very great. Take, for' 
instance, the three prize-birds at Birmingham—63 lbs. This 
would be good for three cocks; but those who know the 
difficulty of getting heavy hens will appreciate such a pen. 
We have thus endeavoured to sketch the progress of each 
breed, and any remarkable success in any class. 
That the poultry movement has been productive of good 
no one can deny; neither can it be disputed that one great 
object has been attained. In every class the breed of domestic 
poultry has been improved. Each is thoroughly understood; 
and any information on any point can be immediately ob¬ 
tained. No inconsiderable amount of food has been added to 
the common stock. It has afforded a delightful pastime to 
thousands; and a spur of innocent excitement and competition 
to many who are excluded, for various reasons, from others 
that require strength, activity, and money to enjoy them. 
It has been a prosperous poultry year; and the prospects 
of the pursuit w r ere never brighter. W T ith gratitude we say it 
has been prosperous with us. 
When the year closes, and the new one is about to spring 
into being, there is always a feeling of hope, even in the loaded 
heart. What shall it then be with us ? Shall we not perse¬ 
vere in that which has brought us so much pleasure, in that 
which we believe to be a positive good, and in which we are 
supported by so many and such kind friends, subscribers, and 
contributors ? We will start in our new year more than ever 
anxious to deserve the kindly support afforded to us. We 
will endeavour to extend our usefulness ; and we promise a 
continuance of that impartiality which it is our pride and our 
endeavour to evince on all occasions. 
This is our profession of purposings; and with it we draw 
to the close of our address. 
There may have been some angry feelings during the past 
year; some little unkindnesses may rankle; envy may still 
exist. Friends! forget them all. Let them sink with the 
dying year into the grave of time, there to sleep for ever. 
You will be gainers by it : and we feel that by this counsel 
