THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN’S COMPANION, November 11, 1850. 108 
As regards the lien-feathered cocks, which you designate 
“ an abomination,” it is my humble opinion that such, if 
accurately pencilled, would be far more valuable, on account 
of uniformity and their matching the.hens. True, such are 
not, at present, fashionable; but then fashion is a fickle and 
deceitful guide. 
Trusting that these remarks may be useful to your cor¬ 
respondent. ‘‘H. N..” and that “W. H., Exeter,” if he tries 
the experiment, will not find them so uncertain to breed 
good offspring from, my reasons for troubling you will be 
attained. — B. P. Brent. 
LANCASHIRE SHOWS OF HAMBURGHS. 
I have always understood, and am persuaded, that in 
Lancashire we are more or less celebrated for the perfection 
to which the different varieties of Hamburghs are brought 
by careful breeding and unceasing attention on the part 
of our mechanics, cottagers, colliers, weavers, and other 
labourers, &c.; and no persons except those who take an 
interest in these matters, and are on the spot, and in fre¬ 
quent personal communication, can form an adequate idea 
of the immense interest each and all have in the subject; 
and I venture to say that no class of men in the same or 
similar positions in any other part of the United Kingdom 
bring to bear the same amount of intelligence or perse¬ 
verance that many of these men do, and have done for 
many years; indeed, long before the present and increasing 
interest publicly felt in poultry matters. 
Another section of the same class are equally interested \ 
in Gooseberry and Apple growing, which they have brought 
to great perfection, and which of itself, and faithfully re¬ 
presented, might prove of interest to many of your readers, 
and may form the subject of a future communication, if 
you think it worth a column in your paper. 
I am led to these brief remarks in order to call your 
attention to the want of information in your paper connected 
with many of our local Poultry Shows, which at this season 
of the year are numerous amongst us, and are little known 
to other amateurs in various parts of the country, on 
account of their local character, and because few persons 
will give themselves the trouble to furnish the information 
for publication, and, in fact, for sundry reasons, not ne- ; 
cessary to mention, would prefer to keep quiet. 
I have not been accustomed, hitherto, to take part in our 
public Exhibitions, but feel great interest in the results of 
each, and your reports, from time to time, are most 
acceptable. 
To those who are acquainted 'practically with the detail 
of breeding, and the few show birds obtained from the very 
best and purest strains, a really conscientious man must feel . 
at times a difficulty in conforming to the rules of many of our 
Poultry Shows; and not only so, but many of the points our 
best Judges insist upon give direct encouragement to an 
impurity of race, by partial cross-breeding, to secure the 
point aimed at; audit is certainly understood amongst us 
that you cannot breed good cockerels and good pullets from 
the same birds, and it is not every successful exhibitor who 
would care to say who really bred the birds, or a portion, 
forming a successful pen. 
I have little hesitation in saying that many prize birds 
are bred by those who have not the means to show them on 
their own account, or are lent for particular occasions ; and 
Avere it requisite, or would ansAver any good purpose, I could 
satisfactorily prove it. 
I inclose you particulars of the last Show amongst us, 
and shall make no apology for its humble character, because 
I believe them to be the nucleus of something better, and 
the birds shown were of a choice character, and Avere shown 
singly, one pullet in each pen. 
I hope, however, to forward you shortly the result of 
two or three others, and one in particular, as being the Show, i 
and at Avhich our Yorkshire neighbours and south country- 
men think it AA'orth while to send representatives to pick up j 
likely birds for the forthcoming Birmingham and other 
Shows.— G. D. Rushton. 
Particulars of a local Poultry Show at Mr. James Chad- 
derton’s, Chapel House, Hollinwood, Saturday, October 
25th, 1850. 
Shown in singld pens, one pullet in each pen. 
J udges. —Jno. Andrew, Waterhouses, near Ashton-under- 
Lyne; Jos. Saxon, KavarloAv, near Ashton-under-Lyne; 
and John Scholes, Bucklow Green, Chadderton, near Oldham. 
Prizes awarded Avere, in each class—1st. Rocking Chair. 
2nd. Copper Kettle. 8rd. Metal Teapot. 
Goi.den-spasgi.bd Haaiburgiis. — First, James Taylor, Ripley 
Head, Hailsworth. Second, James Ogden, Durton Lane. Third, Jno. 
Wolfenden, Lime Gale, near Oldham. 
Silver-spangled Hamburghs. —First, John Brown, White House, 
Hailsworth. Second, Jonathan Booth, Hailsworth. Third, Henry 
Bucklow, Higginshaw, near Shaw. 
Golden pencilled Hamburghs. — First, James Taylor, Rigley 
Head, Hailsworth. Second, Jno. Wolfenden, Lime Gate, near Oldham. 
Silver-pencilled Hamburghs.—F irst, Jno. Taylor, Rigley Head, 
Hailsworth. Second, James Chadderton, Hollinwood. Third, Jno. 
Brown, White House, Hailsworth. 
Black Hamburghs (local name, Black Masks, or Black Rosy 
Combs).—First, Henry Smith, Hailsworth. Second, Jno. Taylor, Hails¬ 
worth.. Th,ird, ltobt. Andrew, Hollinwood. 
Birmingham Poultry Show. —The entries are about 
twelve hundred. 
PH ILOPERISTE RON SOCIETY. 
The first Meeting of the above-named Society for this 
season took place on Tuesday, October 14th, when there Avas, 
perhaps, the best shoAv of young Pigeons ever exhibited. 
They Avere all choice specimens of the various kinds, and 
were very much admired, particularly the Carriers of Mr. 
Parkinson and Mr. Hayne, and the Fantails of Mr. Har¬ 
rison Weir. 
The enthusiasm with which the various breeds of pigeons 
are reared is certainly remarkable ; but when their beauty, 
their docility, and their remarkable differences are taken 
into consideration, is it not surprising one circumstance 
alone gives the Pigeon amateur an advantage over the 
poultry breeder that cannot fail to be appreciated? that is, 
the power of keeping a number of different varieties Avithout 
fear (if they are properly mated in the first instance) of 
any crosses; so that all colours and forms—the inflated 
Pouter, the Wattled Carrier, the short-necked Barb, the 
long-headed Scandaroon, the heavy Runt, the subtle 
Antwerp, <fcc. —can be reared in a single apartment. 
In addition to the interest they excite as mere objects of 
fancy, Pigeons are especially interesting to the naturalist, 
from the facility with Avliich they inter-breed, and the quick 
succession of generations, early-hatched birds of the year 
often breeding the same season. Hence they have, of late 
years especially, received much attention from those na¬ 
turalists Avho are investigating the facts which bear on the 
distinction between permanent species and new varieties. 
The late Mr. Yarrell Avas a constant visitor at the Ex¬ 
hibitions of the Pliiloperisteron Society, and one of his 
most intimate friends, a gentleman AAdio occupies the highest 
position as a naturalist, Avas elected a member at the last 
meeting. 
The natural history inquiries are much facilitated by 
tracing the continuance to the present time oi breeds 
formerly knoAvn and figured. There are, at present, one or 
two A'arieties Avliich it is desirable thus to trace; and I should 
feel under considerable obligation to any of my readers if 
they can inform me of the present existence of the old 
Einnikin or Turner Pigeon.— W. B. Tegetmeier, Tottenham. 
DEFALCATION IN THE PAYMENT OF THE 
ANERLEY POULTRY SHOW PRIZES. 
In The Cottage Gardener of last Aveek, in ansAver to 
a correspondent, you say that you have been informed by 
tlie Secretary of the Anerley Poultry SIioav, that all the 
prizes gained at its last Exhibition have been paid, Avitli the 
exception of one. 
Besides the instance of the correspondent to Avhom your 
reply is addressed, and the many others you refer to, I 
beg to inform you that a 10s. prize for a pair of Silver Owl 
Pigeons, and a Commendation which entitles me to. the 
: Society’s Medal, are still clue to me, although I have written 
three times respecting them. 
