158 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, December 7, 1858. 
are exceeding our limits. The Piles were the weakest in point 
of number, but they were of excellent quality. Then came the 
great class— Black-breasted and other Beds. These were nu¬ 
merous indeed, and beautiful. The cup was deservedly awarded 
to Mr. G. Moss, for a beautiful pen. The first for Chickens went 
to Mr. Brad well. These were two remarkable pens. Among 
the other prize-takers, we noticed particularly Captain Hornby 
and the Hon. IV. W. Vernon ; and among the highly commended 
there were numbers of the highest merit. As usual, the condition 
of these birds was beautiful. Almost every known name will be 
found among the nineteen commendations. 
The Duckwings were very well represented ; but we do 
not see any so carefully bred to colour as those that were 
formerly exhibited by Mr. Tliurnall. The prize-takers well 
earned their distinction, and may be proud of it. We would 
give one word of advice here,—crooked and drooping combs 
arc as objectionable as in Cochins. 
Malays were stronger in quality than in numbers. Mr. Bal- 
lance took two prizes, Mr. Attwater one (a first), and Mr. Eox 
a second. 
The various class showed the usual varieties, and claimed seven 
prizes. 
We have now to recommence our duties, by taking the Single 
Cock prizes. A new name, Mr. Moore, of Ilanley Castle, took 
two out of three Spanish prizes. His first-prize bird was the 
perfection of the breed, and was faultless. In Dorkings, Mr. 
Robinson stood first, followed by Mr. Botham and the Rev. John 
Hill. Nothing could exceed the merits of these two classes, nor 
could competition be more severe. The Cochins were not so good, 
although they suffered only by comparison with their predecessors. 
The Brahma Pootras were very good. The Polish were weak. 
The Golden-pencilled Mamburghs were numerous and excellent. 
The Golden-spangled were still better; and some of the cocks 
shown here would have improved the competing pens in the 
earlier classes. 
Two ladies, Mrs. Swift and Miss Emily Sutherland, headed 
the class for Game Cocks, followed by Mr. E. Archer. Then 
came the Sweepstakes for the same breed. Captain Hornby, Mr. 
Moss, and Mr. Sutherland divided them in order. These two 
were very highly meritorious classes. 
And now the Bantams claimed the attention of the Judges. 
There was a hard struggle in the Gold-laeed, between Mr. H. D. 
Bayly, Mr. Lcno, and Mr. Punchard. It was decided they 
should stand as we have quoted them. This class has most de¬ 
cidedly improved. 
The Silvers were also unusually good. 
The first prize White Bantams were beautiful, and very small; 
but it would have improved the cock if his sickle feathers had 
been longer. 
The two prize pens of Black were very handsome. They pos¬ 
sessed the white ear-lobe, which is such an improvement to black 
birds. 
As was expected, the Game Bantam class was very strong. 
The cup was awarded to the best pen of Duckwings we have yet 
seen. But they are capable of improvement, and are not yet as 
perfect in plumage as the other colours. They are the property 
of Mr. Swift. Twelve commendations in this class. 
Mr. Eowler always takes the prizes for Geese, and he did so 
now, in both classes. No one has, however, succeeded as the 
Rev. John Robinson did some years since, in making White 
heavier than the coloured. Mr. Fowler’s two first-prize pens j 
weighed 57 lbs. and 71 lbs. ; the second prizes, Mr. Mansfield’s ! 
and Mr. Fowler’s, 55 lbs. and 57 lbs. ; the third, 54lbs. and 
54 lbs. 
Mr, Weston’s cup Aylesbury Ducks weighed 30 lbs.; Mrs. i 
Beamans, second prize, 29i lbs. j Mr. Fowler’s, third, 29 lbs. It | 
was an excellent class. 
It was, however, surpassed by the Rouens. Not only were 
they numerous, but great pains have evidently been taken by the 1 
breeders, both to increase size and to obtain perfect feather. The , 
first prize weighed 27 lbs.; the second, 2G lbs.; the third, 25 lbs. 
There were forty-two pens shown. 
The Council of this Show has been long asked to give a 
separate class for Buenos Ayreans. The numbers shown among 
the varieties supported the application, and this was the first 
competition, jE leven pern only ivere entered. They were very I 
good. The varieties were excellent. 
We would particularly note the Brown Call Ducks of Mr. 
Dixon, and Lord Berwick’s Penguins. 
The Turkeys were good, but, save two or three pens, we have 
seen them heavier. The three cup birds weighed 63 lbs.; and 
Lord Hill’s Americans were beautiful in plumage. 
This brings us to the end of our report. The sales were very 
numerous, and at good prices : 103 pens were sold during the first 
hour. Next week we shall be able to give more statistical in¬ 
formation. 
The Hall was crowded with nobility and gentry during the 
whole of Monday. We have only now a pleasing task, and im¬ 
perative duty. If men should be especially honoured and 
thanked for great efforts, and considerable pecuniary liability, 
undertaken and incurred only for the comfort and enjoyment of 
their fellow creatures, then those who carry out this great annual 
exhibition deserve the warmest thanks for their unselfish and 
laborious exertions. It should never be forgotten, that they 
cannot, under any circumstances, reap any other reward than 
that of being instrumental in forwarding or increasing the 
pleasure and well-doing of others. They may well rank, then, 
as public benefactors. They do much for the cause of agriculture, 
in encouraging stock—including poultry—and roots. They give 
a large trade during the week to their town. They give employ¬ 
ment to many. To some among their prize-takers in poultry, 
the amount gained is of consequence, and to many more the sale 
of their birds is a welcome assistance. They deserve the thanks, 
respect, and support of all who have to do with them, and we 
trust it will be tendered with a liberal hand. At less labour and 
expense, they might do many things in their town which would 
bring them prominently before others, and entitle them to public 
thanks. Let not these, then, lack the only reward they seek. 
The Judges were—The Rev. R. Pulleine, G. J. Andrews, 
Esq., Mr. Baily, Mr. Hewitt, and Mr. Challoner. 
Next week we shall give a list of the Commendations, the Prizes 
awarded to Pigeons, and supply some omissions. 
CRYSTAL PALACE POULTRY SHOW. 
We remind our readers, that the entries for the above eloso on 
Saturday, the lltli of December. Like the great Show just 
passed, it has earned a good name for itself, for punctuality, im¬ 
partiality, and strict attention to the interests and comfort of 
visitors and exhibitors. It is, in fact, our Metropolitan Show, 
and wo trust—both in competition and attendance—it will bo 
worthy of London. 
OUR LETTER BOX. 
Dirty Fowl (J. T. I.). —Soap and water, as we liave repeatedly directed, 
will clean the feathers of a fowl. After being washed it should be placed 
in a hamper on some clean hay or straw, in a warm room, until dry. 
Fantail Pigeons should not have crests. 
Cost of Poultry Feeding ( T. P. B.). —Your prices are too high. They 
are the highest retail prices. If you bought a sack of potatoes, they would, 
in most country places, cost little more than half what you state; damaged 
rice may be bought at Id. per lb. ; and the best grinding barley is only 
3s. Gd. per bushel. We would undertake to supply the whole of the 28 lbs. 
of food named, for less than 2s. The only alteration we approve in the 
list, is substituting oats for barley in alternate weeks. The five hens and 
cock will not always require so much as 28 lbs. of food in seven days, and 
they should not be" supplied at a time with more than they eat up clean. 
You take no account of the chickens in your calculation ; and to expect to 
make hens pay by their eggs only, is to expect whart has never yet been 
accomplished, if the food is bought. 
Vagrant Fowls [An Old Subscriber). —A thin piece of lath tied across 
the back of each fowl, by bits of tape, first fixed to the lath, and then tied 
round each wing close to the body, will prevent the fowl flying. Cutting 
one wing will not injure a hen, nor prevent her laying. 
Brahma Pootras [An Amateur). —They are only a variety of the 
Cochin-China, and not superior to any of the other varieties. 
Spanish Cockerel with Crooked Breast [II. II.). —It is a fatal defect 
in an exhibition bird. 
LONDON MARKETS.— December G. 
POULTRY. 
There is still a great supply of poultry, and a wretched trade. Wood¬ 
cocks and Snipes are not yet plentiful, especially the latter, which appear 
to he fast disappearing from England. 
Each. 
Large Fowls .... 
. Oil . to 45. Gd, 
Small ditto. 
.. 3 
0 „ 3 0 
Chickens. 
.. i 
9 „ 2 3 
Geese . 
.. 6 
0 „ 7 G 
Ducks. 
.. 2 
G „ 3 0 
Pheasants . 
O 
3 „ 2 9 
Each. 
Hares. 2s. 0 d. to 2s. 9<f, 
Partridges. 0 9 ,,13 
Grouse. 2 0 ,,0 0 
Pigeons . 0 7 ,,0 8 
Rabbits . 13 „ 1 4 
Wild ditto. 0 8 „ 0 9 
