THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, December 7, 1858. 
157 
a much larger number of competitors than the 1,995 of 1853 ; 
and the amount of sales—although the prieo of a pen, in many 
breeds, has fallen from £25 to £7 or £8 —is nearly the same. A 
few years since, the great nmnber was made up by the exhibition 
of hundreds of pens that were worthless, and had not the slightest 
chance in competition. Like the camp-followers of an army, 
they increased the number of mouths to feed without adding to 
the strength. Those who have known this great Show from the 
ilrst, can recollect the strange mixture of combs and claws in the 
same pen,—the exhibition of many pens of chickens of the same 
sex. It was not an uncommon thing to see among Cochin 
chickens six pullets or six cocks. A pen of four Game fowls j 
would show four different colours of legs. Hamburghs were 
continually shown with five claws; and hence, although the 
numbers were great, the competition was comparatively small, 
and the interest diminished, inasmuch as the superiority of the 
successful pens, in most instances, was plain to the most un¬ 
practised eye. It is very different now. The competition is so 
close, that visitors—although, perhaps, not to be classed among 
amateurs—are yet so interested in discovering the points wherein 
the successful differ from the less fortunate, that they become 
students, and the difficulty gives the study a charm it would not 
otherwise possess. The fact of a class being meritorious through¬ 
out is also the greatest proof of the utility of these exhibitions, 
inasmuch as it proves the first object—that of improvement—has 
been accomplished. It is also a homage paid to the wisdom and 
practical good sense of those who have guided this great Show' 
through the various fortunes to its present eminence. Another 
proof, that the support they receive is not confined to a few per¬ 
sons, or to those who consider themselves pledged to exhibit at 
this Show, is, that the prizes are every year more and more 
scattered abroad. This was never more marked than at the 
display of which we now treat. The new names are numerous 
in every class, and testify to the growing interest taken in these 
Shows. 
We will now speak of them as they occur. Twenty pens of 
adult Spanish. Many of them noble birds, but not sent in the 
high condition they were formerly. It is a great pity. No bird 
makes a better return for extra care and painstaking, than this; 
and a clean face brings out the contrast in colour, which is one 
of the chief beauties of the class. No one ever showed these 
birds in such perfection, as Mr. Davies, and we cannot help 
thinking, that the same care would still have the same results. 
They are fitted by colour and constitution to live in towns ; and, 
if their legs and faces are well washed, the plumage will never 
show whether they live in fields or back-yards. In the absence 
of this care, they show to disadvantage. There was no other 
fault to find, and we offer this only as a suggestion. The four 
prize pens deserved all their honours, and those belonging to Mr. ! 
Brundrit were unusually meritorious. Had they not been, they 
would not have taken precedence of Mr. Fowler’s, to whom de- , 
feat is a novelty. Mr. Busst’s were excellent, as were Mrs. J. 
C. Hall’s ; but the latter were in sad condition. 
Next came the class for two hens. Mr. Busst and Mr. 
Garliek were the heads over twenty-four pens. This was a good 
class. 
Then thirty pens of Spanish Chickens. There was great work 
here, and their condition was beautiful. It was a very hard run 
between Messrs. Rodbard and Rake; but age told with the 
former, and he took the first prize. Messrs. Clewes and Moore 
had third and fourth. The quality of these birds augurs in 
favour of a strong class of adults next year. 
We were disappointed in the number of entries for Spanish 
Pullets. There were but eight competing pens. Mrs. Hall and 
Mr. Fowler had easy victories, with birds that would have stood 
well against greater competition. The cup for the best pen went j 
to Mr. Brundrit’s old birds. 
The different classes of Dorkings produced 188 pens. It will 
soon be difficult to limit the weight of these birds. A few years 
since, a cock of 9 lbs. was a thing to be noted and talked about. 
There were now many of 10 lbs., and some weighed more. The 
hens and pullets have risen from 6 lbs. to 8 lbs. Of course, we 
do not speak of averages,—these are the exceptions : but it only 
proves what has been accomplished. Capt. Hornby took the first 
prize and silver cup with one of the best pens ever shown. Their 
condition was also admirable. The four birds weighed 35 lbs., | 
without fat. An old and respected exhibitor, Mr. Smith, of 
Cropwell Butter, was second. A new name, Mr. Shaw, of Huns- 
bury, was third; and Mr. Ullock was fourth. 
Captain Homby was again first for Dorking Chickens. He 
was here hard run by Mr. Wakefield, an old celebrity in this 
breed. Then came the Hon. W. W. Vernon, and Sir Henry 
Desvoeux. There were twenty-seven commendations in these 
two classes, and every pen deserved a prize. We believe it is 
intended next year to increase the number of them. 
The Dorking Dens afforded another triumph to Captain 
Hornby, followed by Mr. Berwick ; and the Pullets earned a first 
for Sir H. Desvoeux, and a second for the Rev. G. Hustler. There 
were twenty-one commendations in these classes, all richly de¬ 
served. With the exception of some overfat pens, the condition 
of all the Dorking classes was excellent. 
White Dorkings are everywhere showing an increase of size, 
and they did not fail to do so on this occasion. Mr. Allsop held 
his position of first, in the adult class ; while Captain Bcardmore, 
as usual of late, took first and second for Chickens. This class 
is rapidly improving. 
Again, in the Puff and Cinnamon Cochin classes, the old birds 
took the cup from the Chickens. We have had some experience 
in this breed, and we state most positively, we have never seen 
a cock so good and handsome as that in Mr. Tomlinson’s pen. 
They were sold at £20, and they won a silver cup ; yet, were we 
in his place, we should regret the loss of the cock. Mr. Fowler 
offered £15 for him. Mr. Stretch was obliged to be second. 
Two of the hens in Mr. Fowler’s pen were almost as remarkable 
as Mr. Tomlinson’s cock. Mr. Stretch was, however, first in 
Chickens , followed by Messrs. Fell and Peters. 
The Proven and Partridge classes were numerous. The Chickens 
were probably increased by the fact, that there was a sweepstake 
of one guinea each to be awarded, independent of the prizes. 
We feel that our report is nothing unless we tell the truth ; we 
are, therefore, bound to say, that more care must be exorcised in 
selecting birds with faultless combs. There was difficulty in 
finding prize-pens such as were desired. In other respects this 
was a superior class of these birds. 
The White Cochin- Chinas were very beautiful, and Mr. Chase’s 
adults easily w'on the cup. It was a pen of remarkable beauty. 
Birmingham kept all the Cochin cups. We repeat, in all these 
classes, straight combs are indispensable; and there is a better 
prospect of success, even if the three birds do not quite match in 
other respects, if they have perfectly straight and upright combs, 
than if they are exactly similar, but have one distorted one 
among them. 
The Brahmas were beautiful. Mr. Botham took both the first, 
and Mr. Teebay both the second prizes. These birds are long 
making their way ; but they must do it, as then' merits are of a 
sound and useful character. 
We -were very glad to see a revival of Polands, which were well 
represented in every class. Although many of the old names 
were successful,—Messrs. Dixon, Battye, and Ray, for Black with 
White Crests ; Mrs. Pettat, Messrs. Dixon, Fox, and Greenall, 
in others,—still there were fresh names, and Col. Clowes headed 
both the Silver classes with beautiful birds. 
The Golden-pencilled Damburghs were excellent, and fully 
maintained the improvement we have noted of late. Both the 
first prizes and the cup remained at Birmingham. The breeders 
of the birds have succeeded in producing them most accurately 
and beautifully pencilled to the tips of the tails. The names of 
the commended will be proof of the excellence of these classes, 
and an assurance that all the great men competed. 
The Golden-spangled Damburgh classes were good; but many 
of the old birds, especially the hens, did not seem to have re¬ 
covered their moulting. Mr. Chune was very successful, and 
won the cup. The things to be most avoided in these birds seem 
to be, overgrown and loose combs and black breasts. As a 
whole, we did not think this class as good as W'e have Been. 
Mr. Archer took both the first prizes and the cup for the Silver- 
pencilled ; and, after his career of success, it must be refreshing 
to this gentleman not to take the others. He seems to have a 
dangerous competitor in Mr. Keable, who took two prizes for 
Chickens. If we were exhibitors, we should hold the chicken- 
prize takers in especial dread. 
The Silver-spangled Damburghs were very good. Breeders 
in this class have gained perfect tails,— they are of faultless 
white, and accurately tipped ; but this point is almost counter¬ 
balanced by loss of marking, both in quality and regularity, 
in hackle, body, and breast. The Rev. 0. Pettat had the cup ; 
Messrs. Archer and Pierce second; Mrs. Teebay and Mr. Dable 
third. 
There are so mauy classes of the Game , that we are obliged to 
make one general mention of them, warned, as w r e are, that we 
