190 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, December 21, 1858. 
Greenfinch mule. But what could the Judge be about, to highly 
commend this twopenny Bunting as a £10 hybrid ? Does he not 
yet know so common a British bird ; if not, he is not competent 
to judge birds at a public Show ? There could be no mistake : 
no cross between Skylark and Sparrow could produce a Bunting, 
the formation of bill is too significant. 
Of the foreign birds I know little, therefore I shall not venture 
any remarks thereon.—B. P. Brent. 
BRAHMA POOTRAS. 
Well you allow me again to differ from the opinion given in 
your “ Letter Box” of the 7th inst., about Brahma Pootras. You 
say, they are only a variety of Cochin-Chinas, and not superior 
to any others. I heard, in Bingley Hall, so much good, sound 
poultry talk, last week, and such a good spirit seemed to prevail 
among amateurs, that I cannot help thinking our “ halcyon days ” 
are coming, and that your columns will be full of information 
from all parties. It is no small pleasure to be able to communi¬ 
cate our little discoveries, to give, or to seek, information ; and 
it is in this spirit, and to carry out the recently formed resolve, 
made in presence of the Brahma classes, that I venture to 
appear in print. Let me give one result. I have, at one yard, 
fifteen early Cochin pullets; and at another, eleven Brahma 
pullets, of the same age. I have from the latter, although nu¬ 
merically weaker, one third more eggs than from the former. The 
result was the same last year. They are the hardiest fowl I ever 
had: they are not large eaters, and they are very superior to the 
Cochin, as a table fowl. I wish those who have long kept and 
shown these birds—Messrs. Botham, Teebay, Fowler, Craigie, and 
Ereavington—would give us the result of their experience ; and 
I confess, that, after the saucy pleasure of daring to differ from 
an authority like yourself, one of my motives for writing this, is, 
to see whether these gentlemen cannot be persuaded to give us 
results, or remarks, which may serve to put these birds in their 
proper place—not to treat them as mongrels, or off-shoots, but to 
invest them at once with the dignity of a pure and valuable breed. 
—Salop. 
[We shall be very glad to have reports of the produce and 
other experiences of the gentlemen named by our friend “ Salop 
and if they can show that they are superior to other Cochin-China 
fowls as egg-producers, or as table birds, we will readily recom¬ 
mend them, for we are not the slaves of colour. But no evi¬ 
dence can be produced to convince us that Brahma Pootras are 
a pure breed. We have a sustained opinion that they are not, 
but that they can be produced by crossing the White Cochin- 
China with other breeds—as, for example, with the Dorking. 
Tho White Cochin we believe to be especially open to the pro¬ 
duce of such crosses, and to vagaries in colour ; for example, 
it is not at all uncommon for it to produce a black chicken. 
We are aware that Mr. Baily and other good authorities differ 
from us ; but we have on our side the Rev. Mr. Wingfield, we 
believe Mr. Hewitt, and other men “ cunning in talk about 
fowls.”] 
CHIPPENHAM POULTRY EXHIBTION. 
The poultry exhibitions of Chippenham have always been 
notorious for the superiority of the general arrangements ; and, 
undoubtedly, the meeting of 1858, just concluded, fully maintains 
the high character of its predecessors. Every possible comfort 
was given to the poultry exhibited, and every attention paid to 
the convenience of those visitors who inspected them. The great 
general improvement, throughout all the classes, beyond those of 
former years, must have proved a matter of high congratulation 
to those gentlemen by whose untiring efforts this excellent annual 
meeting was instituted, and has been, also, so successfully carried 
out. On the present occasion, many of our most celebrated 
breeders were competitors. 
In Class 1 (old Spanish), the same want of high condition 
presented itself, that of late has been so especially the subject of 
observation at other meetings. It is remarkable “ how very 
late this season all old Spanish birds are moultingnor do we 
suppose, that the best trial of relative merits in this class will 
take place until towards the close of the coming January of 
1859. The* Spanish Chickens were decidedly superior specimens. 
The best pen, however, were altogether thrown out, by a single 
pullet being shown instead of a pair. The Dorking classes were 
generally good. In Game, the total disregard to matching the 
colours of the legs, ltd many an otherwise worthy pen into 
failure. The ride, that the colour of the legs in the same pen 
should be alike, is always imperative; and, however good in other 
particulars, non-obeyance of this rule always leads directly to 
disappointment. The Cochins were very good. We would 
suggest, another season, that Spangled and Pencilled Hamlurghs 
competing together is unadvisable, more especially as first-class 
birds were shown of either variety. The Polands were both 
limited in the amount of entries, and really indifferent in quality 
also ; whilst in the Sebright Bantams all the prizes were with¬ 
held, as undeserved. The Black, and also the White Bantams, 
however, made ample amends for their predecessors. 
In Turkeys, Geese, and Ducks, the present meeting stands 
alone at Chippenham. Of the latter, several most highly estimable 
pens lost position, entirely from want of condition, the ever- 
necessary attendant of quickly repeated exhibition without proper 
time being allowed for recovery. 
The poultry show at Chippenham forms a part and parcel of 
the local agricultural meeting annually held there ; and, although 
a digression from poultry matters, we cannot but allude to an 
excellent bounty connected with this institution, as a recognition 
of by-gone years of faithful servitude. Some fifty or sixty of the 
labouring classes received at the hands of the Presidents of this 
Society, not only a very befitting address, complimentary of their 
long good conduct, but likewise two or three sovereigns each, 
accompanied by a lithographed testimonial of their honest ser¬ 
vitude (many for more than half a century). These were framed 
and glazed, and doubtless will, in future years, find a suitable posi¬ 
tion on the walls of many a labourer’s cottage; whilst, possibly, 
they may there act as an incentive to good conduct in a rising 
family, anxious to sustain a father’s, or mother’s, good name. It 
is really pleasing to see how highly valued were these testimonials, 
and the great number of competitors who strove lor their attain¬ 
ment. 
We gave the prize list of the poultry last week. The Judge 
appointed was Mr. Edward Hewitt, of Spark Brook, near 
Birmingham. 
OUR LETTER BOX. 
White Ear-lobe ix Black Bantams [Economy ).—The white ear is 
very desirable in a black Bantam. It is a very great point in exhibiting. 
They will become whiter after the bird is six months old. Ten ounces is a 
good weight for a cock six months old. By good weight, we mean a small 
one. Stint his growth, if you can, for the future. The legs should be 
black ; but that is not an imperative rule. Whatever colour they may he, 
all in the pen must be alike. 
Gout in Poultry (A Country Quad c).-— We have seen a disease like 
gout in the feet and joints of Cochin-China fowls; therefore, the same 
may be in those of your Aylesbury Duck. If the swellings feel hotter 
than the other parts of the foot, it will confirm such suspicion. Give the 
duck two grains of calomel at night, and four drops of colchicum wine 
twice a-day for a week, and continue the treatment, if improvement is 
manifest. Keep the duck confined in a dry outhouse, and give it only soft 
food. 
Price op Barley [Economy ).—We quoted the wholesale price at Mark 
Lane. It ought to be bought at the same price of anyfarmer in your neigh¬ 
bourhood, if you take a sack at a time. 
Crewe Poultry Show.— We have heard from another gentleman com¬ 
plaining that his prizes are not paid. This is not creditable to the Com¬ 
mittee. 
Blister on Spanish Cock’s Ear-lobe [Henricus ).—We think little of 
the blisters you mention, as vo» state that in other respects the bird is well. 
We are sorry to say, we think quite as little of the bird himself. If you 
want, as you say, “ a few good Spanish,” do not dream of succeeding 
with a cock that now has a good deal of red over the eye. A good hen 
will be thrown away upon him. Spanish cocks of real merit are now very 
plentiful, and we would advise you to purchase one of these, and a hen or 
two. They may be had much cheaper than they were twelve months since. 
With such you would probably succeed. Before we can answer your 
question, as to which breed would pay best, you must tell ua what your 
object is, and whence you wish to derive your profit :—from eggs, or table 
poultry, or whether you are anticipating first prizes and pieces of plato. 
On knowing this, we shall be happy to give you all the information in our 
power. 
LONDON MARKETS. —December 20. 
POULTRY. 
The cause that we assigned last week for a slight rise in prices has 
maintained them since. The Turkeys, up to the time of our going to press, 
have hardly been as good as usual. The drought has prevented mills from 
working, and feeders have been at a standstill for want of meal. 
Each. 
Cock Turkeys . 
.. 11s. Od. 
to 25s.0 d. 
Hen Turkeys.... 
.. 6 
0 
9 0 
Large Fowls .... 
.. 4 
G 
5 6 
Small ditto. 
.. 3 
0 
3 6 
Chickens. 
.. 1 
9 
2 0 
Geese . 
.. 6 
0 
8 0 
Ducks. 
?. 
3 
a 
2 9 
Woodcocks 
Each. 
Hare6. 2s. Od. to 2s. 0(7, 
Pheasants . 19 ,, 2 S 
Partridges. 0 9 ,, 1 3 
Snipes. 10 „ 1 4 
Pigeons . 0 8 „ 0 9 
Rabbits . 14 ,,15 
Wild ditto. 0 8 ,,0 9 
. 2s, 6rf. to 3s, 
