THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN'S COMPANION, January 13, 1857. 263 
“an introduction.” But as an increased revenue is always 
desirable to Poultry Show Committees, I would press the 
matter even a step farther, and solicit—at least, in some 
localities—a few inexpensive premiums, to be placed at the 
discrimination of the Judges, for beauteous and valuable 
descriptions of water-fowls, pheasants of any foreign variety ; 
in fact, to any really novel introduction of birds whatever. 
Such prizes, although at the onset apparently entailing 
some little additional outlay, would, with certitude, prove a 
vei’y remunerative speculation “ in the long run for, sup¬ 
posing the entries undeserving, the awards would naturally 
not be made, and the entrance-money for pens erected 
would fully liquidate the advance; whilst, on the other 
hand, wherever this class happened to contain valuable, 
unique, or gorgeous-plumaged birds, every individual attend¬ 
ing as a spectator, when leaving, serves, as it were, the 
purposes of a living advertisement to induce others to visit 
likewise. It is really surprising the effect of such a class 
on the revenue of the Society, and the throngs of otherwise 
uninterested individuals it brings forward—parties who, only 
superficially entering into poultry matters, simply regard all 
the general classes alike as “ rows of cocks and hens.” 
Look at the results at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where this plan 
has received a fair trial; their finances are in a thriving 
condition, and attributable in no mean degree to the cause 
I have endeavoured to advocate. 
I could instance several other cases, but will content my¬ 
self by stating, I never knew any instance where the intro¬ 
duction was the subject of after regret, but, contrariwise, of 
congratulation, as producing increased means of usefulness 
by affording reserve funds for improving the value of the 
premiums for other classes at future meetings. I am fully 
aware of the objection that may be raised as to this “ break ” 
upon the legitimate first intentions of a Poultry Show: but 
when I advise a really limited amount of prizes, and the 
result produces afar-increased public interest, “expediency” i 
will draw the balance in its favour.— Edward Hewitt, Eden 
Cottage, Sparlcbrook , Birmingham. 
THE ESSEX POULTRY EXHIBITION. 
The fourth meeting of this Society took place on Decem¬ 
ber 31st and three following days. We published last week 
the prize-list, and it gives us great satisfaction to state that 
the Exhibition far outvied any of its predecessors. Many 
parties were impressed with the conviction that the all but 
simultaneous Poultry Show to be held at the Crystal Palace 
would sadly interfere with the Colchester arrangements; 
nevertheless, somewhat beyond five hundred pens competed, 
and it is justly true to state, that very rarely have we seeii 
any collection so perfectly free from indifferent specimens. 
The support this now well-established Society receives from 
the surrounding nobility and aristocracy is also another 
subject of congratulation, and the arrangements of the Com¬ 
mittee generally are highly deserving of our warmest com¬ 
mendations. The Plate Prizes were truly excellent, the 
principal one being a very chaste silver flagon, ornamented | 
! with the really appropriate emblem, a Game Cock; it cer- , 
j tainly was of the full value affixed, namely, twenty guineas. ! 
| The Cups were likewise of really intrinsic value. 
In Dorkings the Colchester Show stood pre-eminent; they 
constituted, with the Game classes, a first-rate Show, even ' 
had no other variety been represented. The immense im¬ 
provement manifested throughout both these classes was 
the subject of universal congratulation. In the Dorkings we 
noticed that the rosy-combed fowls gained ground consider¬ 
ably on their rivals in point of size ; and we were much gra¬ 
tified to notice that this was without any approach to coarse¬ 
ness whatever. The White Dorkings were also superior. 
The Spanish classes were good, the chickens especially. 
Contrary to the general results of Shows of Poultry in this part 
of England, the Hamburghs proved themselves a first-rate 
collection, many neighbouring amateurs devoting consider- 
j able time and expense to breeding them. The Polands 
were scantily represented. In Sebright Bantams there was 
not anything worthy of particular remark ; still these 
classes, as a whole, were above mediocrity. The class 
for Black Bantams has been seldom better filled, either as to 
the quantity of pens or their perfection. The Cochin classes, 
although somewhat restricted in point of numbers, contained 
many highly commendable specimens of careful breeding 
and management, the Partridge-coloured being, perchance, 
the best of any. 
Brahma Pootra fowls competed in but small numbers, but 
exhibited an extraordinary variety of colour and character, 
the matching of most of the pens being very indifferent also. 
Some excellent Andalusians took first prize in the Extra 
Class; and Silkies, Serai Taoolc, and Ghondook fowls were 
also exhibited of great excellence. The Aquatic portion of 
the Show was worthy of any exhibition, and the improve¬ 
ments here on previous seasons were most marked. The 
Pigeons were a treat to any visitor whose fancy lay in that 
direction, and obtained much attention. 
It is satisfactory to state that the weather was fine 
throughout, and the attendance proportionately great. Every 
attention and courtesy was manifested by the Committee; 
but the plan of sales was scarcely satisfactory, and con¬ 
trary to the general usages in Poultry Societies. Future 
meetings will, no doubt, evidence an improvement in 
this respect; and we merely allude to the matter that it 
may the more directly obtain the reconsideration of the 
Committee, who have continuously striven to render their 
Show popular and deserving. 
G. Andrews, Esq., of Dorchester, and E. Hewitt, Esq., of 
Sparkbrook, near Birmingham, were the Judges. 
POULTRY AND PIGEON SALE. 
At Mr. Stevens’ last sale, on January C, there were some 
exceedingly good Cochins from the Rev. G. Gilbert. Two 
pullets of this year sold for £2, and doubtless would have 
produced much more, but they were not exhibition birds, one 
having a twisted comb. 
For several of Mr. Coleridge’s Polands there were no 
bidders, but the Golden sold at fair prices. The Pigeons, with 
the exception of the Carriers of Mr. Mountain, which were 
good, may be described as a very poor collection, and, being 
sent in anonymously “ from amateurs,” were not to be de¬ 
pended on as to being pairs. 
There were some very good-faced Spanish Chickens from 
Mr. Gelderd, and some exceedingly good Dorkings from the 
same gentleman. An old cock, “ winner of twenty prizes,” 
sold for AT 4s., but he had seen his best days. Several of 
the other Dorkings fetched Al Os. and AT 8s. each. 
As is usually the case, good birds realised fair prices, but 
inferior specimens hardly paid expenses. For example, 
there were some Silver-pencilled cocks with single combs and 
| brown wings. Those that were sold produced 3s. each, which 
would, after deducting commission and carriage, leave but a 
very small return to the sender. We cannot too often cau¬ 
tion our readers that it is worse than useless to send such 
rubbish to the sale-room. 
BRIGG AND LINDSEY POULTRY SOCIETY. 
(From a Correspondent.') 
The third Annual Exhibition of this Society was held in 
the Corn Exchange, Brigg, Lincolnshire, on Tuesday, 
December 23rd. The entries were more numerous than 
last year, being in number about 250, and the stock 
exhibited also showed a great improvement on last year’s 
birds, many exhibitors from Yorkshire and Nottingham¬ 
shire, as well as remote parts of Lincolnshire, having sent 
their birds, the prizes being, in most instances, of fair 
amount; but we would press upon the Committee the 
desirableness of an increase of classes for some varieties ; 
for instance, Cochins, Polands, and Bantams bad one class 
each ; whilst Dorkings were fairly divided into Coloured and 
White, and the Game fowls and Hamburghs were also well 
divided. 
The Coloured Dorkings were really’ a magnificent class, 
there being scarcely an indifferent bird in the whole. The 
winners were really first rate in every point, and shown in 
capital condition. White Dorkings were not first rate. 
There were one or two pens of good Spanish, but the ma¬ 
jority of the class were not good. There were a few pens of 
