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TEE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, September 27, 1859. 
Like tlie rest of the world at this time, we steal a holiday ; and 
it need not be doubted that we are irresistibly drawn to those 
snots where there is poultry. In our wanderings, our love of the 
subject or subjects has afforded us many pleasant hours, and 
given us introductions to resting-places that have lightened a 
long walk, and refreshed us when somewhat weary. The appear¬ 
ance of a hencoop on the grass, the Spanish cock that looked 
perfect in the distance, the hoarse crow of a Cochin, or the stately 
form of a Dorking, have emboldened us to a.su to see the poultry, 
and we have enjoyed the intercourse which we have tried to 
make profitable to those to whose courtesy we have been 
indebted. 
We have seen many good specimens, but we have been sur- 
prised, in some instances, to be told, smilingly, “ Quite welcome 
to see them ; hut I doubt whether they arc worth the trouble. 
We thought the day was gone by when any one would keep a 
mongrel fowl, but it is not. We have seen creatures that were 
originally that nondescript animal called a barndoor fowl, but 
that have bred in-and-in till they are like nothing. Now, seeing 
these creatures eat as much as the most valuable fowl, and that 
they are not even pleasing to the eye, we have said, “"Why, 
do you not keep pure fowls?” Always is returned the same 
answer, “ The truth is, I am getting careless about them : they 
lay badly ; they breed fewer chickens every year ; and they are 
so sickly, I am tired of it.” We determined, as soon as we 
returned, to commit our thoughts to paper. 
When only a few breeds were cared for, some years ago, and they 
realised most ridiculous prices, we can understand why people 
hesitated before they bought, and put up rather with what they 
had. But now, when every breed is fully known in its habits, 
excellencies, and requirements—when they are to be purchased 
at Shows or otherwise at very moderate prices, we cannot under¬ 
stand why worthless tilings are kept. The carelessness as to 
breed and the non-introduction of fresh blood are the causes why 
poultry in many places is so little appreciated. With no other 
outlay than the purchase-money a breed may now be had that 
will he beautiful to look at, prolific and profitable, either for 
eggs or chickens, as may he desired. 
BRIDGNORTH POULTRY SHOW. 
September 22nd. 
The Judge was Mr. E. newitt, of Spark Brook, near Birming¬ 
ham. We reserve our notes until next week. 
Cochin-China (any colour except White or Black).—First, G. C. Peters, 
Birmingham (Buff). Second, J. Iv. Bowler, Prebeiulal Barm, Aylesbury 
(Buff). Highly Commended, G. Lamb, Red IXill House, Compton, near 
Wolverhampton (Partridge); J. Iv. Bowler, Prebendal Barm, Aylesbury 
(Partridge); W r . Harvey, Sheffield (Buff); G. C. Peters, Birmingham 
(Partridge). 
Cochin-China (White or Black).—First and Second, G. C. Peters, Bir¬ 
mingham (White). Commended, W. Harvey, Sheffield (White). 
Dorkings. —First anu Second, J. Whittington, Wootten Wawen, Henley- 
in-Arden. Highly Commended, ,T. Martin, Claines, Worcester; J. E. 
Wilson, Clifton Cottage, Clavcrley. Commended, Mrs. M. Seamons, Hart¬ 
well, Aylesbury (Coloured); J. E. Wilson, Clifton Cottage, Claverley. 
Game (Black-breasted and other Reds).—First, .1. Martin, Claines, Wor¬ 
cester. Second, Mrs. M. Seamons, Hartwell, Aylesbury. 
Game (White and Piles).—Prize, J. B. Chune, Coal’orookdale. 
Game (Duckwings and other Greys and Blues).—First, J. B. Chune, 
Coalbrookdale. Second, W. Harvey, Sheffield (Duckwing). 
Game (any other variety).—First, G. C. Peters, Birmingham (Black). 
Second, J. B. Chune, Coalbrookdale. 
Game Cock.— First, W. T. Hill, New Inn House, Claverley. Second, 
G. C. Peters, Birmingham. 
Hamhveghs (Golden-pencilled).—First, .1. Martin, Claines, Worcester. 
Second, J. B. Chune, Coalbrookdale. Highly Commended, W. Harvey, 
Sheffield. 
IIamborghs (Golden-spangled).—First and Second, J. B. Chune, Coal- 
hrookdale. Highly Commended, G. C. Peters, Birmingham. 
Hameueghs (Silver-pencilled).—Prize, J. Martin, Claines, Worcester. 
Hamburghs (Silver-spangled).—Prize, W. Ilarvey, Sheffield. 
Polands (Black with White Crests).—First and Second, E. W. Hasle- 
Wood, Bridgnorth. 
Polands (Golden-spangled). — First, E. W. Haslewood, Bridgnorth. 
(Second prize no competition.) 
Polands (Silver-spangled).—First, W. Harvey, Sheffield. Second, G. C. 
Peters, Birmingham. 
Spanish. —First and Second, J. Whittington, W r ootten Wawen, nenley- 
In-Arden. Highly Commended, J. Martin, Claines, Worcester. 
Any other Variety. —First and Second, W. Harvey, Sheffield (Light 
Brahma Pootras and Pencilled Brahma Pootras). Highly Commended, J. 
Martin, Claines, Worcester (Brahma Pootras). 
Bantams.— First and Second, G. C. Peters, Birmingham (Silver-laced 
and Gold-laced). Highly Commended, W. Harvey, Sheffield (White); J. 
Martin, Claines, Worcester (Game) ; .1. B. Chune. Coalbrookdale (Black¬ 
breasted Red). Commended, J. Martin, Claines, Worcester (Laced). 
Duces (White Aylesbury'.—First, Mrs. M. Seamons, Hartwell, Ayles¬ 
bury. Second. .T.K. Fowler, Prebendal Farm, Aylesbury. Highly Com¬ 
mended, Mrs.M. Seamons, Hartwell, Aylesbury; .T.K. Fowler, Prebendal 
Farm, Aylesbury. Commended, H. Smith, jun., New House, Sutton Had¬ 
dock, Shiffnal. 
Ducks (any other variety).—First, .1. Iv. Fowler, Prebendal Farm, Ayles¬ 
bury (Rouen). Second, J. Martin, Claines, Worcester (Black East Indian). 
Highly Commended, G. C. Peters, Birmingham (Rouen); J. B. Chune, 
Coalbrookdale . 
POULTRY POR A GARDEN. 
We are of the somewhat-numerous class who inhabit what, is 
called a villa, with a small garden and lawn, in a suburban district 
of town ; and we are admirers of animate as .well as inanimate 
nature. We grow a good many flowers—and who is there that 
reads The Cottage Gardener who does not ? And we also 
keep fowls. We should like extremely to see the latter on our 
lawn; but then their propensities are not altogether consistent 
with good gardening. My wife, however, of late has takon a 
strong fancy to have a pair of Pea fowls, male and female,, as an 
ornament to the garden; but we are not willing to make the 
experiment without first consulting you upon the subject. If, 
like fowls, they are much in the habit of raking the beds in their 
own fashion, or nipping off the heads of our pinks or carnations, 
we would rather dispense with them ; but if they will be decently 
behaved, and only rid us of some of the 'pests of the garden, 
we should he proud of their company. Now r , will you be so 
good as to inform us, whether, in a small garden of, say, a quarter 
of an acre, with an outlet into a small paddock, a pair of Pea 
fowls would be mischievous or inconvenient visitors ? and if so, 
can you mention any ornamental description of fowl which might 
be admitted without damage to the beds or destruction to the 
flowers? We are told that somo of the Cochin China do not 
scratch ; and if we could not tolerate the Pea fowls we should not 
object to a few of them.—Rus in Ukde. 
[The Italians say of the Peacock, he' has the plumage of an 
angel, the voice of a devil, and the appetite of a thief. We believe 
it all, and we are sorry to add, that in a garden tho Pea Fowl is 
more destructive than all the pests you are anxious to get rid of. 
The only fowls we know that are not only harmless, but, perhaps, 
useful, are Bantams of any variety. We have seen a score of 
them in the garden of an amateur to whom the suspicion of a 
scratch would have been agony ; and wo have ourselves, in a 
very small ono, six that have lived there for weeks in a most 
creditable, if not useful manner. But you have ample space for 
fowls without interfering with your garden. Six yards square of 
your paddock would suffice for a run of Cochins, and they would 
be securely confined by a fence three feet high, or if the outlet 
were closed, they would never seek to fly over the gate. A similar 
space covered at the top would do for Brahmas or Spanish. 
All except Bantams are particularly fond of making a hollow on 
the edge of a ilower-bed, and tliero lying on their sides with one 
wing up, enjoying the dust-bath or the sun.] 
SPARKENEOE FARMERS’ CLUB, 
EXHIBITION OF POULTRY, PIGEONS, AND RABBITS. 
To those most conversant with poultry, there cannot he a 
second opinion that the best exhibition that has ever taken place 
in connection with the Sparkenhoe Farmers’ Club is the one just 
concluded at Ashby-de-la-Zouch. The grounds of the Royal 
Hotel are peculiarly well-adapted for such a Meeting, being at 
once picturesque and extensive, besides being immediately ad¬ 
jacent to the railway station—another feature highly calculated 
to increase the attendance of visitors from a distance. To the 
Stewards, Messrs. George and Edward Lowe, Mr. C. Hopkins, 
and Mr. James Baker, our highest encomiums arc due; nothing 
could exceed the excellence of the arrangements throughout, and 
it must have afforded gratification to those gentlemen to hear the 
spontaneous expressions of approval that were manifested by all 
amateurs present. 
Wc must uow call the attention of our readers to the various 
classes. First, then, for a Silver Cup of five guineas’ value. This 
brought out no less than twelve competitors. The poultry com¬ 
peting for this prize, being entered exclusively for the cup, did 
not compete in the classes for their respective varieties. Thus 
