THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, December 6, 1859. 
149 
annually together thousands of visitors of all classes. All these 
facts will fail to give any idea of the importance of this Exhibi¬ 
tion to the town of Birmingham. Beds are scarcely to he had; 
hotels are overflowing; shops are crowded with customers; 
exhibitions of all kinds; anomalous animals, ventriloquists, cir¬ 
cuses—everything that will attract visitors finds a harvest during 
the Show week. The Exhibition, then, deserves to be well sup¬ 
ported by the town; aud we were glad to be informed it was 
improving in this respect. More may, however, be done before 
it has received it3 deserts. But it must not be viewed as a mere 
Show; nor must it be thought its object is accomplished when it 
has brought together the 30,000 people who annually visit it. 
This is an advantage to the town ; but far more important and 
more solid benefits accrue to the agriculturist, the amateur of 
poultry, and to that increasing class—the poultry eater. Before 
the formation of this and similar societies a fowl was a fowl; and 
if any one wished to begin with poultry, he had no means of 
ascertaining what breed would best suit his soil or meet his 
requirements. This difficulty is removed; every man can suit 
his fancy and his run. Another great advantage to purchasers 
is the adoption of new classes for single cocks, and for two hens 
or pullets. These were boons, as, previous to their institution, 
many who wanted a single bird only were compelled to buy a 
pen. It also enables many to exhibit who could not show a. 
cock and three pullets or hens. The greatest stride is, however, 
made in the improvement in the different breeds, not only in 
weight and feather, but in strength of constitution. Years ago 
roupy birds were common, and pen after pen was empty, bearing 
the ominous placard, “ Birds removed, diseased.” Such is now 
never seen. Again: it was thought some were naturally roupy; 
but, thanks to the knowledge gained through shows like that of 
which we treat, it has been found the roup was more frequently 
caused by the ignorance or mismanagement of the owner than by 
the weakness of the birds. Our last preliminary remarks will 
be on the increase of size. Those who have not given their atten¬ 
tion to the subject have no idea of the extra amount of delicate 
food now produced without any increase of expenditure over that 
which formerly fed a number of worthless and mongrel birds. 
We could say much more in praise of this great Show; but the 
unavoidable length of our comments on the classes compels us 
to recollect our limits. 
Few persons know the difficulty of selecting a cock and three 
hens or pullets equal to competition. Many persons fancy 
when looking at a yard of beautiful fowls that all are alike ; but 
when it is necessary to select the four and to criticise all closely, 
then it is found that the pre-eminently good are the exceptions. 
This remark is more especially true of the classes of which we first 
treat than of any others—the Dorkings. Their united numbers 
were 218. They call for additional prizes, and we heard they 
would be offered next year. All our anticipations as to weight 
were this year exceeded ; several hens were shown that weighed 
more than 10 lbs. each. There were also fewer birds with gouty 
toes than usual. Captain Hornby’s was a marvellous pen both 
for weight and symmetry. All the prize birds were wonderful. 
The Chickens deserve the same praise ; but they were not so even 
as the adults. It can be easily imagined that extraordinary birds 
were necessary for success, and even some of the prize pens had 
one of the four occupants that damaged the other three. At the 
same time it may be said the worst would have been an easy 
whiner a few years ago. Those calling for especial mention would 
he Mr. Wakefield’s first-prize birds, Mrs. Hornby’s hens, and 
Mr. Bromley’s pullets. The latter gentleman’s birds are exceed¬ 
ingly beautiful in colour. 
The Silver Gregs held their own in open competition. There 
were in these classes forty-three commendations. 
If the progress lately made in White Dorkings can be con¬ 
tinued they may also enter into open competition. They were 
very large, and also brought good entries. Mr. Robinson and 
the Rev. Mr. Hutton, together with Captain Beardmore, deserve 
separate mention. 
Spanish came next. Still improving; no drooping cock’s 
combs; no red-faced hens to make decisions easy, and to point 
out prize birds at a glance. There were 107 pens. There may, 
perhaps, be less alteration in these birds than in the preceding 
classes if we except the upright cock’s combs, now general; but 
still there is an improved style in them generally, and it is satis¬ 
factory to see that, with few exceptions, the old strains maintain 
their pre-eminence. Miss Rake took second prize in tl'iree classes— 
nfo mean exploit. Mrs. Hall showed a remarkably good pen of 
adults ; but the palm for pre-eminence must go to the Chickens 
belonging to Messrs. Teebay and Rake; they were beautiful, and 
we thought the young cock in the cup pen belonging to the former 
gentleman one of tbe best and most stylish birds we ever saw. 
In Buff Cochin-Chinas Mr. Tomlinson seemed disposed to 
repeat the triumphs of last season ; he took the Silver Cup, but 
it was a hard run with Mr. Stretch. The Rev. G. Gilbert took 
first for Chickens. We were much pleased with these classes, 
as these really useful birds are evidently being carefully bred. 
Much interest is now excited in the Grouse and Partridge 
classes, from the fact that many exhibitors enter into sweepstakes 
which are decided by the awards. The birds shown were a 
great improvement on last year; and, we think, for size, purity, 
and symmetry, Mr. Stretch’s nup pen is one of the best we ever 
saw. With increased age Mr. P. Cartwright’s will, probably, 
be its equal. It was hard to give only high commendations to 
such pens as those sent by Mr. Puncliard. 
The White Cochins showed less improvement than any of the 
others. 
Brahma Pootras brought the best display they have ever made, 
and afforded a great triumph to Mr. Teebay, who took three out 
of four prizes. Nine high commendations were well deserved in 
these classes, and there were sixteen pens of chickens shown. It 
is only fair to state that many were of a very high order. 
Polands were not so numerous as they should be to compete for 
the prizes offered for them. We must, however, except the Black 
with White Crests , which were good in quality and numbers. 
The Golden and Silver were also excellent, but .not sufficiently 
numerous. Mrs. Pettat showed beautiful birds. 
If we except Mr. Worrall’s pen, the old Golden-pencilled 
Hamburghs were not so good as usual; but the Chickens made 
amends. They were a beautiful class, containing many perfect 
specimens. 
We also thought very highly of the Golden-spangled, more 
especially the Chickens. The two first-prize pens in this class 
were unusually meritorious. 
Strange to say, we have no praise to give to the Silver-pencilled. 
They were not up to the usual standard of the breed. 
The Silver-spangled were very good, especially Miss Dixon’s 
pen. 
The Hamburgh Hens and Pullets of any breed afforded beauti¬ 
ful classes. In both, the first prizes were taken by Golden- 
pencilled, and nothing could exceed the beauty of the birds, or 
the perfect condition and feather in which they were shown. 
Game fowls -would deserve a separate report. Two hundred 
pens, seventy-one of which were named in the prize list. There 
were so many really perfect birds that we should have to reprint 
half the awards if we attempted to point them out. We thought 
the most remarkable improvement in any class was in the Duck- 
icings. We have never seen these beautiful birds in such feather 
for many years. Messrs. Woods, Baker, Dawson, and Archer 
must have separate mention. As usual, these classes were re¬ 
markable for the high condition of the birds they contained ; aud 
it is undeniable that they seem to touch a sympathetic chord in 
every one—all admire and like them. In this breed, the class for 
two hens and pullets was a beautiful one. It would be difficult to 
imagine anything more perfect than those shown by Messrs. 
Swift and Moss, which took the two first prizes. The Brown¬ 
breasted Beds were more numerous than usual. 
Malays were better and in stronger force than we have ever 
seen at Birmingham. The birds shown by Messrs. Leighton 
and Brook leave nothing to desire. 
The Various Class brought out a pen of our old acquaintances 
—the Bakies or Dumpies. They deservedly took first prize. There 
were also some pens of most excellent Black Hamburghs; also, 
some good Sera'i-ta-ooks. 
Now we have to recommence in naming the several classes for 
Single Cocks, forming in themselves a great exhibition. 
Sixty-eight Dorkings. Many birds of great merit and not one 
bad one. Twenty-four specially noticed. Dr. Hewson, Captain 
Hornby, and Mr. Drewry took the prizes, but many of the others 
deserved more than commendations. The prize bird was claimed 
at £15. Here, again, we may notice the unvarying good con¬ 
dition of the feet of these birds. No swelled toes or other defects. 
The Spanish Cocks deserve equal commendation. They 
showed thirty-one pens, and it was hard to decide on the merits 
of those that deserved distinction. They were numerous. 
The Cochin- China Cocks brought an array of goodly names, and 
birds that were worthy of the reputation that is attached to them. 
The Brahma Pootra prize-birds were beautiful in shape and 
symmetry, and of unusual size. 
