THE COTTAGE GARDENER. AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, October 10, 1858. 
45 
tio the hands of the Committee. They cannot give large prizes 
when there arc small entries. Mr. Fowler and Mr. Pullen 
gained easy victories. 
Golden-pencilled Hamburghs are improving daily. The prize 
birds were highly meritorious, especially one pullet, in Mr. 
Williams’ pen. It would bo a relief if Mr. Archer were well 
beaten ill Silver Hamburghs. It is toujours perdrix, and we 
therefore say ho took all the prizes. Success palls on a man, 
and ho has taken up the Silver-spangled. He here took second 
prize ; but Mrs. Pettat. held her own, and took first. In Golden 
jPolands this lady easily took both. These reports are worth 
nothing, if they do not convey somewhat of instruction; and 
those who observe the prize-list may see, that, with painstaking, 
success is almost hereditary. Mrs. Pettat, with the produce of 
her prize-birds of 1857, took both prizes in 1858. 
We have everywhere to record the improvement in the Silver 
Polands , and here they were really beautiful. Already our report 
has trespassed on our space ; but we refer our readers to the prize 
list, and may remark, that it will be seen that the Judges were 
chary of commendations, and avoided any eulogistic mention of 
classes, as they found almost everyone would deserve it; and 
they were tired of “ capital,” “ excellent,” “ most meritorious,” 
“ improving,” &e. The Polands with white crests were very 
good, and there is an evident increase in the size of the topknots ; 
but there is also more black in the front, and that of the cocks 
has become larger, at the expense of quality. Formerly it was 
firm and strong, but now it falls around without form or sym¬ 
metry. We should not be justified in being thus, what some 
may call severe, did we not see what has been accomplished in 
other classes. We are fast coming to the opinion that nothing is 
impossible in poultry. 
Bantams are an improving class, if we except the Silver 
Sebrights They are “missing.” The Rev. G. F. Hodson, and 
Mr. H. D. Bay ley, took for Sebrights; and even the Hon. W. 
Vernon was for once obliged to be second in Blacks. As usual, 
the Game were beautiful. 
The Turkey Poults were unusually good. 
The first prize Aylesbury Ducks weighed 22 j lbs., the second 
22lbs. 
The first prize Geese weighed 50f lbs., and the second, after 
travelling from Scotland, weighed 46 lbs. 
Rouen Ducklings were very good, but they were not heavy. 
The Various Class of Ducks showed perfect specimens of every 
breed. 
The sweepstakes for Cocks concluded the classes. In Game, 
Mr. Archer’s bird was too fat. The Dorkings were perfect. 
We must refer, for all further information, to the prize list, as 
we have already exceeded our limits. We are happy to bear our 
testimony, for the second time, to the merits of Mr. Griffith, as 
an able and zealous secretary. 
The Rev. Mr. Pulleine and Mr. Baily were the Judges. 
BELGIAN CANARIES. 
At the present time considerable excitement and discussion 
exists amongst breeders of Canaries, especially relative to the 
Belgian species, owing to the forthcoming Show at the Crystal 
Palace. The classifying of the different classes does infinite 
credit to the superintendent, be that gentleman whom he may, 
and shows some considerable experience relative to the different 
species ; but the test of the birds will be the Exhibition, and it 
will require a very experienced and competent person to judge, 
—one who has had practical knowledge of the real quality of the 
pure Belgian; for this species will eventually take the place of 
every other, and persons will be compelled to have recourse to 
such breeders as have made it their study indefatigably to keep 
up the pure breed, if they would vie or outstrip others. For 
what is the breeder without emulation ? 
Sometime ago, Mr. Moore, of Fareham, who is a considerable 
breeder of the pure Belgian Canary, gave his opinion in your 
valuable journal, founded on experience, as to the qualities of that 
species, and the following points are, he considers, essential for 
a bird to be up to the mark : — 
“ 1st. Head small and flat. 2nd. High shoulders. 3rd. Nar¬ 
row across the shoulders, standing out at the back. 4th. Round 
in the back and bow-shaped. 5th. Long in the leg. 6th. Show : 
the thigh well. 7th. Strip themselves well up. 8th. To have a I 
narrow tail, to be shut up as one feather. 9tli. To have a j 
small frill just at the chest. 10th. Not to be under six inches.” | 
Now, birds with such points, many breeders say, are very rare. 
This I acknowledge; but, nevertheless, they are to be seen in the 
possession of. the above-named gentleman (the pure Belgian 
breed); and had he named another point, which he has in per¬ 
fection, I think he would have been justified,—namely, colour ; 
for colour like an orange, in my opinion, is a great point gained 
in birds, 
I have been myself a breeder for many years, and can boast of 
having some good birds, but not up to all the ten points -, though I 
hope, ere long, to arrive at the desideratum. I am not in despair, 
though I have tried many years; but I am encouraged every 
season, for my stock still improves, and points are gained 
every breeding. 1 have long tried for length, and obtained it; 
but I find, when I have that, I fail in another, viz., the 8th point; 
and I firmly believe this will be invariably the case. The points 
named will be the criterion at the Show, I have no doubt; and 
those who have an opportunity will do well to be present at the 
Exhibition : it will give them an ocular demonstration of some 
rare specimens.— Geo. Collins, Richmond Place, Portsea. 
CREWE POULTRY EXHIBITION. 
This Exhibition was held Wednesday and Thursday, October 
13th and 14th, for birds hatched in 1858, except in the case of 
Pigeons, and where otherwise stated. The following is the prize 
list:— 
Spanish —First, J. K. Fowler, Prebendal Farm, Aylesbury. Second, 
J. Rodbard, Langford, Somerset. Highly Commended, Capt. XV. Hornby, 
R.N., Prescott; — Hobson, Odd Rode, Cheshire. Commended, T. Davies, 
Wavertree. (A good class.) 
Dorkings (Coloured, except Silver Grey).—First, Capt. XV. Hornby, 
R.N., Prescott. Second, Lady Bagot, Blethfield Hall, Staffordshire. Highly 
Commended, J. Price, Londonderry, Yorkshire. 
Dokings (Silver Grey).—First, J. B. Chune, Coalbrookdale. Second, 
— Dolby, Syston, Grantham, Yorkshire. Highly Commended. ,J. Robinson, 
Vale House, Garstang ; H. XV. P. Berwick, Helmsley, Yorkshire. 
Game (Black-breasted and other Reds).—First, J. Parton, Nantwich. 
Second, E. Bowers, Nantwich. Highly Commended, G. XV. Moss, Liver¬ 
pool; XV. Galley, Nantwich. Commended, G. XV. Moss, Liverpool; 
J. Fletcher, Kersley, Lancashire. (This class excellent.) 
Game (Duckwings and other Greys and Blues). — First, G. XV. Moss, 
Liverpool. Second, XV. Chatting, XX'andsworth, Surrey. 
Game (any other variety). — First, E. Bebbington, Minshull Vernon, 
Cheshire. Second, J. B. Chune, Coalbrookdale. Highly Commended, 
— Dawson, Selby Oak, near Birmingham. 
Cochin China (Cinnamon and Buff).—First, XX". Dawson, Mirfield, York¬ 
shire. Second, H. James, XValsall. Highly Commended, T. Stretch, Marsh 
Lane, Bootle. Commended, J. Price, Londonderry, Yorkshire. 
Cochin-China (Partridge and Grouse) .—First, Miss V. XV. Musgrore, 
XVest Bank, Aughton, Liverpool. Second, J.K. Fowler, Frebendal, Farm, 
Aylesbury. Highly Commended, T. Stretch, Marsh Lane, Bootle, 
Cochin-China (any other variety).—First and Second, G. Lamb,Compton’ 
near XX r olverhampton. Commended, XXL Dawson, Mirfield, X'orkshire. 
Brahma Pootra.— First, J. Fowler, Frebendal Farm, Aylesbury. Second, 
G. Botham, XVexham, Court, Bucks. (An excellent class.) 
Hamburghs (Gold-pencilled). — First, XV. Pierce, Northwich. Second, 
J. Martin, XVorcester. Highly Commended, E. L. Williams, Northwich. 
Commended, J. Martin, XVorcester ; J. Fletcher, Kersley, Lancashire, 
C. R. Titterton, Birmingham.' (A superior class.) 
Hamburghs (Silver-pencilled)-.—First and Second, E. Archer, Malvern. 
Highly Commended, XV. Pierce, Northwich. Commended, J. B. Chune, 
Coalbrookdale. 
Hamburghs (Gold-spangled). — First, J. B. Chune, Coalbrookdale. 
Second, N. Marlow, Denton, near Manchester. Highly Commended, 
XXL R. Lane, Edgbaston, Birmingham. (This class very good.) 
Hamburghs (Silver-spangled).—First, XV. Pierce, Northwich. Second, 
T. Dale, Middlewich. Highly Commended, XXL Chester, Harwich. Com¬ 
mended, E. Archer, Malvern. 
Poland (Silver).—First, J. Moss, gardener, Horley House, Lymm. (No 
competition for Second prize.) 
Polands 'Black with White Crests).— First, G. Ray, Ivy Cottage, Mine- 
stead, Lyndhurst. Second, Mrs. A. Illay, XVorcester. 
Ant Distinct Variety not included in the above Classes. —First, 
A. F. Watkin, Staffield (Sultans). Second, J. Thomas, Macclesfield. 
Highly Commended, XV. Dawson, Mirfield, Yorkshire (Silky Fowl). Com¬ 
mended, Mrs. A. Blav, XVorcester (White). (A praiseworthy class). 
Bantams (Gold and Silver-laced).—First, T. It. D. Bayley, Ickwell House, 
Biggleswade, Beds. Second, H. Tomlinson, Birmingham. 
Bantams (Black or White).—First, H. Hague, Haughton Green, Lanca¬ 
shire. Second, T. H. D. Bayley, Ickwell House, Biggleswade, Beds. 
Bantams (Game). — First, T. Burgess, jun., Burley Dam, Cheshire. 
Second, T. II. D. Bayley, Ickwell House, Biggleswade, Beds. 
Turkey Poults.— First, XV. Dolby, Syston Grantham, Yorkshire. 
Second, Capt. W. Hornby, R.N., Prescott. 
Goslings.— First, T. Burgess, jun., Burley Dam, Cheshire. Second. 
Capt. W. Hornby, R.N., Prescott. 
