46 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, October 18, 1859. 
both Silvei'-spangled and also the Black with White Crests. We 
do not wish for better; and it is most gratifying to us to note this 
improvement, as Polands are unquestionably both useful and 
ornamental. In Buff Cochin-China fowls, Mrs. Fookes took all 
the premiums, the pullets exhibited by this lady being un¬ 
usually excellent. For the prizes allotted to Cochins of any 
other colour the competition was most severe, the Rev. G. F. 
Hodson standing first, closely run by the birds of Mrs. Fookes. 
The Game class for “ Black-breasted and other Reds ” was one 
of the best we have seen, for chickens only, at any period of this 
year. There was not a pen that did not possess great merit. 
Mr. Williams, of Weston-super-Mare, obtained the covetable 
position of heading the list with a pen that will stand highly in 
any competition; whilst the second prize, belonging to Mr. Fox, 
of Devizes, were but little inferior. A better class than this was 
throughout need not be desired; but, certainly, many of the 
cockerels should long since have been “ dubbed,” or at the closely 
approaching winter Shows they will lose all chances of prize 
taking. This remark naturally bears with equal force in the Game 
Bantam class, the majority of which were shown uncut. We 
mention it thus early, simply because it is well known that 
dubbing causes a lack of condition for some short time afterwards, 
even to the most robust of cockerels; and at this advanced 
season there certainly remains no time to be wasted, if such fowls 
are intended for future exhibition. The Duckwings of the Rev. 
G. S. Cruwys were a most promising pen, leaving all competitors 
far iu the rear. The Silver-spangled Hamburghs were good; 
but, undoubtedly, one of the very best classes in the Exhibition 
was the Silver-pencilled. Mr. Keable’s, of Rowdefield, cannot 
be spoken of too highly. It would, indeed, be an extremely 
difficult task for the most critical to point out any imperfection. 
The class for any other variety held the best pens of Malays , 
Brahmas , and Silky fowls that could be desired. In Sebrights, 
the Golden were a much better class than the Silver-laced, 
Messrs. Bayley and Hodson running each other very closely. 
As we anticipated, the Game Bantam class was most excellent, 
the winners at the recent Crystal Palace Show adding still 
another laurel to their popularity. Many of the specimens 
throughout this class were perfection, individually considered; 
but lost position from being penned with fowls of different 
feather. 
In Aylesbury Ducklings Mrs. Seamons was unrivalled. The 
extraordinary condition in which this lady always exhibits these 
birds betokens the best of management; and how such ex¬ 
cellence is undeviatingly maintained seems to puzzle other 
breeders. In Rouens we do not ever remember to have seen four 
Ducks so true to feather, colour of bills, &c., as those exhibited 
in the two prize pens. They possessed also great size—a requisite 
never to be lost sight of by Rouen breeders. 
Of Goslings and Turkeys we need say but little, they bore 
convincing proofs of the greatest care and attention; and even 
yet, between this and Christmas tide, they will no doubt 
greatly improve, and then form most useful additions to the 
festive board. 
The speedy manner in which all the poultry were repacked at 
the close of the Show is worthy of especial remark, and will be 
a feature that will add greatly to the confidence of exhibitors at 
future Meetings of the Wrington and West Mendip Society’s 
gatherings. This favourable result is entirely due to the un¬ 
ceasing personal superintendence of the Rev. G. F. Hodson. 
Mr. Edward Hewitt, of Spark Brook, Birmingham, officiated 
as Judge. His awards were published by us last week. 
HACKLE OF SILYER-SPANGLED HAMBUKGHS. 
In The Cottage Gardener for September 27th, I noticed 
a remark that Silver-spangled Hamburghs should have striped 
hackles and white tails. 
Now, I believe that the three breeds of Silver Pheasant Fowls, 
—namely, the Silver Mooney, the Creole, and the Yorkshire 
Silver Pheasant fowl, are the varieties usually known as Silver- 
spangled Hamburgh; I am, therefore, at a loss to know where 
the person making reply gets his theory from. Striped hackles 
and white tails do not naturally agree, nor are they to be found 
combined in any one of these breeds. It only exists in theory, 
but is not obtainable in practice. On the contrary, the striped 
hackle belongs to the Moonies, Golden and Silver, and these 
should have black, or nearly black, tails. See the old rules. 
Hie white tails with black tips belong to the Creoles, and these 
have clear white hackles. See the old rules for Creoles. 
Yorkshire Pheasant Fowl* are marked very much like bad 
Sebrights. 
All the so-called Silver-spangled Hamburghs exhibited at the 
Crystal Palace Show had nearly white tails with black tips, and, 
as a natural consequence, their hackles were all white, with only 
a slight spangling on the lower part, and not striped. 
I am induced to make this remark because your correspondent 
puts forth such an unnatural and impossible theory, of com¬ 
bining striped hackles with clear tails —in practice only pro¬ 
ducing disappointment.—B. P. Brent. 
BEE-KEEPING IN ITALY. 
Some of your readers may be interested, and perhaps in¬ 
structed, by the following extract from a recent account of the 
Italian valleys of the Pennine Alps, by the Rev. S. W. King, 
evidently not only a scientific naturalist, but a practised apiarian. 
In that locality I have little doubt the bees are of the Ligurian 
race, now endeavoured to be introduced into this country. It is 
to be regretted that the author did not enter rather more at large 
into particulars as to the mode of management, which combines > 
simplicity and economy. The “ skeps ” alluded to are doubtless 
of straw, but it would be desirable to know in what way they 
are protected from the weather. Also, we are not informed 
respecting the swarms, and what becomes of them, as there is 
reason to believe these are annually sacrificed for their honey, 
leaving the old hives, which, of course, would contain only young 
queens for future stocks. The method of smoking the bees with 
old refuse combs requires some explanation. 
“ At Yanzone, the little capital of Yal Anzasca,” the author says, 
“ the curate, Padre Albesini, walked up the valley with us as 
far as his house, and at his cordial invitation we went in to taste 
some of the honey for whieh he was famous, and to see his hives. 
I was delighted to find him an enthusiast in apiarian matters, 
and had collected a complete library of books on the subject. 
We discussed the merits of the old Roman, the Greek, Sicilian, 
and all kinds of modern hives, depriving, smoking, &c. He had 
in different places between seventy and eighty hives, and I was 
greatly taken with the simplicity and success of his management. 
On the flat tops of the skeps, which were of good size, was a box 
of inch-deal, a foot square, and four or five inches deep, fastened 
down, and luted with cowdung. A little window in front was 
covered with a slip of deal, and, the top being moveable, when 
the box was full the comb was removed with the aid of a little 
smoke. For this purpose he used the refuse left on boding the 
old comb for wax, the smoke of which is not only harmless to 
the bees, but pleasant to use ; and in so large a stock is always 
at hand, costing nothing. In the winter the box was removed, 
and the aperture stopped and luted. The average produce per 
hive, good and bad together, was about 10 lbs. in a fair season, 
and often much more. The bees were left in undisturbed pos¬ 
session, and never fed. I inquired how he managed when the 
combs became old and thickened, and found he practised the 
English method of annually cutting out a portion.” — An Old 
Apiarian. 
OUR LETTER BOX. 
Silver-pencilled Hamburgh Pullet (7). B. Binney ).—There is no 
doubt about the cause of her death—the rupture of a blood-vessel on the 
brain. The bird possesses all the desirable characteristics of the breed. 
Dubbing Game Bantams ( W. Wilson ).—The ear-lobes should here- 
moved, as well as everything that interferes with the snake-like appearance 
of head, which is desirable in these birds. Very sharp scissors is the best 
instrument to use, and every morsel of superfluous flesh and skin should 
be removed. The wounds are more serious in appearance than in reality; 
and the initiated always cut the comb in small pieces and give it to the 
bird to eat, which he always does. 
General Management op Bees ( Yorkshireman ).—Your communication 
embraces such a wide range of questions respecting bees, hives, feeding, 
aspects, &c., that our recommendation is, as a novice in apiarian practice, 
you resort to some work expressly on the subject. To go fully into the 
matters on which you desire the needful information would almost require 
a book to be written, and of these we already possess many. There is not 
a single question in your letter that is not fully discussed in Mr. Taylor’s 
“Bee-keeper’s Manual,” published by Groombridge & Sons, Paternoster 
Bow. 
Purchasing Bees (P. P. P.).—Bees may be removed at any season of 
the year, removing them always at night; but they should be brought from a 
distance, or they are apt to return to theii former place, and thus many 
will perish. We prefer buying in the spring, sending the hives to the 
seller, and having early swarms hived into them. If cheapness is an 
object, Payne’s Cottager’s Hive may be used; if a higher price can be 
afforded, Taylor’s Bar-Hive. You can select for yourself if you go to 
Messrs. Neighbour in Holborn. Buy our “Bee-keeping for the Mariv.” 
and Taylor’s “ Bee-keeper’s Manual.” 
