138 THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN’S COMPANION, November 25, 1856. 
posal, as to their individual Exhibition, if their interests are 
not unduly intruded upon by the meetings of like societies 
elsewhere; and this at once leads us to the most important 
point we desire to place before our readers. 
It really almost appears, at the present moment, as though 
the committees of these truly popular sources of amuse¬ 
ment were labouring under the potency of the charm that 
attaches to the old axiom, “ a long pull, a strong pull, and a 
pull altogether.” Its truth properly applied we do not 
hesitate to endorse, always providing, however, that in head¬ 
long recklessness of consequences the combined force does 
not prove so uncontrollable as to produce the very opposite 
of the results anticipated. From, perchance, the fact of an 
universal holiday-time, or, again, simply from sheer inatten¬ 
tion, many of our Poultry Shows are fixed for times so closely 
approximating, or, indeed, in various instances, actually 
simultaneously, that the coveted results we have just alluded 
to cannot by any possibility prove the result everywhere. 
The show-poultry are not ubiquitous; efficient judges to 
award the premiums are not ubiquitous; and the poultry 
amateurs are not ubiquitous. The latter forms one of the 
most conclusive demonstrations of the glaring impolicy of 
this procedure; for there are not a few amateurs—real 
ones—who actually, in all cases, travel with their poultry, 
and return with them after the conclusion of the Exhibition. 
In proof of this we have met with twenty individuals at one 
hotel, and they were mostly competitors ; and yet far greater 
numbers visit these meetings rather to see the position of 
certain well-known poultry-stock, and their relative “ con¬ 
dition,” than from personal motives or pecuniary interests. 
Where Shows occur at one and the same date, or without 
giving sufficient time for the birds to recover from the excite¬ 
ment, all such constant visitors are, at the best, divided, or 
their attendance frustrated altogether. The after-result is 
naturally a deficiency (from such parties alone) of some 
score or more of pounds in the receipts, whilst the general 
defalcation from the loss of interest, owing to absence of 
competition, and the consequent falling off of admissions 
to visitors who attend from curiosity alone, we will not even 
attempt to conjecture. 
Facts prove, beyond doubt, that this ill-advised plan of 
permitting interests to he divided has been the stumbling- 
block, and ofttimes the actual ruin, of not a few of these 
societies. “ The divided crust will not find provision for a 
multitude,” but still might be more than amply sufficient 
if allowed to remain intact. 
It was only last year that very particular attention was 
directed to the same “ mistake" (as to Windsor and Yeovil 
Shows) in the columns of this periodical; and we before¬ 
hand unhesitatingly advanced our convictions of the inevit¬ 
able result, viz., injury to both parties, and most probably 
the irreparable ruin of the weaker society. The difficulties 
prognosticated proved but too true, and the loss to both 
societies was most serious. 
Let a few of our acting committees peruse with careful¬ 
ness the rapidly successive dates of our speedily approach¬ 
ing Poultry Shows, considering whether all their interests 
will not be undoubtedly compromised by the plans now 
existing; and then reflect how all and each might benefit by 
a more extended period of time being allotted between them, 
so that each might enjoy the manifold advantages of undi¬ 
minished receipts for the time being, and that, too, adding 
much to their prospects of success at future meetings. 
BIRMINGHAM CATTLE AND POULTRY SHOW. 
The Cattle Classes will show a considerable increase as 
compared with, last year; and one of the principal breeds, 
the Devons, will, probably, be better represented than on 
any former occasion—the Srnithfield Club, when the two 
great Shows have been held together, having hitherto re¬ 
ceived the support of the majority of the breeders of this 
stock. The entries of Pigs are also considerably more 
numerous than they were last year; and in the two classes 
I f° r young pigs—which have always attracted so much at¬ 
tention, and the useful character of which is universally 
| acknowledged—there will be a very fine display. The col¬ 
lection of Roots will not be equal in the number staged to 
| iHat of last year; hut the season having been more 
favourable, we may expect a higher standard of excellence 
in the specimens sent for competition. The change in the 
regulations with regard to the condition on which entries 
can be made by subscribers, and the delay in issuing the 
lists and regulations, have produced some effect in limiting 
the number of entries of Poultry, the total number this 
year being 1,210 pens, against 1,007 in 1855 ; and of Pigeons, 
205, against 201 in last year. At the same time, there is 
every reason for believing that the Show will contain a large 
number of specimens of very great beauty, all the leading 
amateurs in the kingdom having entered the lists; and the 
finest birds, wherever they are to be found, will be collected 
together in Bingley Hall. In the other parts of the Ex¬ 
hibition there will, as usual, be much to interest not only all 
who are connected with agriculture, but the public at large ; 
and from present appearances we may hope for an agreeable 
and successful meeting. 
The experiment of last year- for the sale of tickets for the 
Working Classes having been in all respects most successful, 
the Council have very wisely determined to extend the 
scheme, and to issue these tickets not only for Wednesday 
afternoon, but for the whole of Friday also. When confined 
to a single afternoon last year, upwards of 8,000 persons 
availed themselves of the privilege; and a very orderly and 
well-conducted company they were. Mr. John Lowe, of the 
firm of Mupplebeck and Lowe, has again courteously under¬ 
taken the management of this part of the business relating i 
to the Exhibition; and manufacturers and others who may 
be disposed to give their workmen and women a winter 
“ treat,” and one that would, as is shown by what took place 
last year, be highly appreciated by a great number of persons, 
will do well to apply to that gentleman at once. On the 
former occasion to which we are referring, these tickets were 
principally applied for by residents of this town and neigh¬ 
bourhood; but there is no reason why the workmen of the 
South Staffordshire and Worcestershire districts, of the 
Potteries, Coventry, Ac., should not have the opportunity of 
witnessing an Exhibition which, in its complete character, 
is unequalled. 
It will be recollected that, at the general meeting of 
members in December last, a resolution was passed referring 
to the Council the consideration of the question of discon¬ 
tinuing the annual dinner, and the latter body have approved 
the suggestion, and no public dinner will take place. At 
the same time, it does not appear that the Council have at 
present made any arrangements for the delivery of lectures 
on agricultural subjects during the Show week, as was also 
contemplated by the resolution, and which, it was considered, 
would prove both attractive and useful. 
We subjoin a table showing the entries from year to year 
since the establishment of the Birmingham Exhibitions:—- 
1849. 
1850. 
1851. 
1852. 
1853. 
1854. 
1855. 
1856. 
Cattle . 
81 
117 
138 
127 
129 
119 
88 
109 
Sheep. 
40 
55 
71 
83 
59 
61 
04 
4(3 
Pigs. 
221 
1/3 
105 
93 
113 
56 
63 
99 
Total . 
342 
345 
314 
303 
301 
236 
215 
254 
Roots. 
142 
119 
Poultry . 
223 
505 
935 
1,138 
1,995 
1,608 
1,607 
1,210 
Pigeons . 
20 
51 
120 
85 
280 
137 
201 
205 
Total . 
243 
556 
1,055 
1,223 
2,275 
1,745 
1 808 
1,415 
—(Midland Counties Herald.) 
GOLD-PENCILLED HAMBURGHS. 
It really is quite refreshing to peruse the first three 
articles in your number for November lltli. They all dovetail 
so admirably into the experience of the fancy, and so good- 
humouredly point out matters of great import to those 
seeking information on poultry-breeding, that inasmuch as, 
in some back numbers, I grumbled at the paucity of replies 
to queries, and reflected on the selfish exclusiveness of those 
parties fortunate in their stock as pure birds, to afford to 
the anxious inquirer the smallest information regarding the 
required essentials, I now with much pleasure tender the 
amende honorable, and crave pardon, 
The very thing which happened to your correspondent 
