THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEA1AX, March 1, 1859. 315 
It, was an old shed, such as is I o be found in almost all yards 
—not, farmyards, but those belonging to semi-private bouses. 
It was about twenty feet, long and eight high, the flooring was 
several inches deep in dust, the thatching at tlie hack was down 
to the ground, and the ends were closed, so that no draught was 
possible. Here Mr. Taplin put the rip on the dustiest spot 
possible, and then went to fetch tlie hen and her chickens. 
“ See,” said he, showing her under-feathers, “ these are all damp 
and matted; they afford neither warmth nor comfort when she 
covers her brood. You will see the difference.” 
The hen was hardly under the rip when she began to make 
herself a bath in the dust: she laid on her side ; she scattered it 
on her back ; she loosened all her feathers, and did not know 
how to enjoy it enough. AVhen the chickens were brought, it 
was found eleven remained of the fourteen. They underwent a 
close scrutiny, and, to the horror of the lady, six were sentenced 
to death. This was dreadful. 
“ What is the matter with this?” 
“ It has but four toes.” 
“And this?” 
“ It is crooked.” 
“And this?” 
“ It is cramped.” 
“ And this ? ” 
“The legs are deformed.” 
“ But they will be very nice by-and-bye to eat.” 
“ They will not live.” 
“ Oh, yes they will, now you have chosen them a place.” 
“ The hen cannot rear them.” 
“ Well, then, do not let me see them killed.”—She went away ; 
and, for the first time, she regretted consulting Mr. Taplin. She 
was vexed; and, perhaps, something akin to the feeling showed 
itself on her face, for the gentleman felt it necessary to oiler the 
following explanation :—- 
“ You may, in May, hatch as many chickens as you will under a 
hen; and the probability is, barring accidents, she will rear nearly 
all. But you must recollect, the nights are short and warm ; the 
days are long ; herbage is growing, and the grass is full of food. 
The necessity for brooding the chickens is not so imperative on 
the part of the hen ; but now there is no natural food. The 
nights are cold and long. All the warmth from evening to day¬ 
light must come from the hen. The chickens I have just ordered 
to be killed might have lived a fortnight longer; but every week’s 
growth rmdered it less likely. Even now the lieu can hardly 
cover all; and as they increase in size, it becomes impossible. 
The outside ones feel the cold at night, and do not rest till, 
cither by dint of fidgetting, or by a motion of the hen, they have 
succeeded in getting under her : but to do this they displace 
another; and tlni3 one by one they become chilled and cramped. 
It is rare for them to live; but they never make good fowls. 
The lien can cover the five that remain so long as it is necessary, 
and they will grow. Having, I hope, vindicated ni 3 'self from the 
charge of wanton cruelty, let us feed the survivors.” 
They already looked better; and they, too, enjoyed the dry 
dust. A board was placed before the rip, on which some groats 
and chopped egg were thrown. They ate it greedily. 
“ If,” said he, “ you mean these to be early-exhibition chickens, 
you must feed them, or have them fed, after dark. If you will 
have them well covered up with sacks, or old carpets, at dusk, I 
will feed them for you, as I shall be dining with your father 
to-night.” 
About half-past eight, provided with a lantern and a plate of 
food, lie proceeded to the shed. Ho uncovered the rip. The 
hen soon saw the food, and called the chickens to feed. They 
were fed again at half-past ten. It was astonishing to see how 
soon they got accustomed to this repast, after dark ; and at the 
first twinkle of light through their covering they were all ready 
to feed. It was discontinued as the nights got shorter. 'These i 
chickens figured in more than one prize-list, and were at last 
claimed at a good round sum. 
HOLTON AND LANCASHIRE CENTRAL 
POULTRY EXHIBITION. 
The first Exhibition of the above Society was held on the 
23rd and 24th of February. There were more than 400 com¬ 
petitors, and 1000 birds exhibited, and the excellence of the 
various classes was fully displayed. The Judges of Poultry and 
Pigeon? were Mr. Tegetmeier, of London ; Mr. Teebay, of Pres¬ 
ton ; and Mr. Foulds, of Atherton. Mr. Ridgway, of Warring¬ 
ton, judging the Canaries. 
The Dorkings were a very good class. The first prize was 
awarded to Captain Hornby, of Knowsley. Buff Cochins —First 
prize, Air. Copple, of Eccleston. Brown and Partridge-feathered 
. —Mr. .Tames Cattell, of Birmingham, took the first prize. 
Brahma Pootra —Air. T. W. Redheud, of Bolton, was placed at 
the head, taking also the second prize. In Game, Air. Angus 
Sutherland, of Burnley, took the first prize in the Black-breasted 
and other Reds. Air. Moss was the successful competitor in the 
Duck winged and other Greys and Blues. In t he Whites and 
Piles, Aressrs. Haigh and Hartley, of IlolmCrth, were first. Air. 
Adam Hampson, of Bolton, was the successful competitor in any 
other class of Game. For a Single Code (Game), of any ago or 
colour, Air. W. Dawson, of Mirfield, was awarded the first prize. 
In the Pheasant or Hamburgh Class, Air. AYorrall, of Liverpool, 
j was the first. 
Air. Dixon, of Bradford, was first for Geese and Turkeys; 
and Mr. J. C. Forrest, of Darwen, for Aylesbury Ducks; Air. 
David J ones, of Bolton, for Rouen; Air. Dixon being the first 
; for any other variety. 
The collection of Pigeons was considered exceedingly good. 
The following persons took the first prizes :—Alessrs. Eli Fielding, 
of Rochdale ; G. AY. Hartley, Kendal; Peter Eden, Salford; 
P. II. Jones, London ; George Goose, Aigburth; Francis Alew- 
burn, Darlington. 
The Canaries also attracted much notice; there being some 
very valuable and choice birds amongst them. Air. Abraham 
AVliite, of Bacup, took the first and second prizes for clear Yellow 
Belgians. Air. John Robinson, of Alanchester, being first in 
clear Buff Belgians. Air. Joseph Orrell, of Little Bolton, was 
awarded a prize of ten shillings for the best Cage for exhibition 
purposes. 
AYe shall give a complete list of prizes, and special particulars 
of the opinions of the Judges in our next. 
FYLDE POULTRY EXHIBITION. 
(From a Correspondent .) 
! This first Exhibition of Poultry and Pigeons, was held at 
i Poulton-le-Fylde, on the 16th and 17th of February. The 
: poultry exhibited was of first-rate quality. The Show was 
I patronised by many fashionable visitors and well-known exliibi- 
! tors; and it is highly gratifying to all parties concerned in the 
, arrangements, to see their first Show go off so satisfactorily—it 
I having attracted the attention of poultry fanciers in every part of 
England. 
The Spanish were very good. The first-prize pen in adults, 
belonging to Air. J. Garlick, is not to be surpassed. In the 
class for Chickens of this variety were fourteen pens, all of which 
were deserving of prizes. 
The Dorkings , although few in number, were not to be beaten 
in quality ; and the two well-known exhibitors, Captain W. AY. 
Hornby and John Robinson, carried off the honours in this 
I class. 
Cochins of all colours were included in one class, and brought 
out all the great guns. Alessrs. Copple and AA'atson securing 
the two prizes, leaving Alessrs. Stretch and Tomlinson to be 
satisfied with commendations. 
In the class for Game, Black-breasted and other Reds, most of 
the best breeders in the kingdom competed. The prizes were 
awarded to G. AY. Moss and A. Sutherland. AA'c need say nothing 
about the merits of these two pens, they having told for them¬ 
selves by the very many prizes which have been awarded them. 
The class for any other variety of Game , though limited in 
number, were highly commendable birds. 
In Game Chickens the competition was stronger than in any 
other class. Air. G. AY. AIoss again taking first prize ; closely 
followed by Air. Leigh, who took second. 
In the Hamburgh classes the competition was severe. Alessrs. 
Carter and Gaulter again heading the list in Golden-pencilled 
Hainburghs. The extra prize for the best pen of the. Pencilled 
variety was also awarded to the same pen. Air. AV. C. AYorrall 
took first prize in Golden-spangled, and also the extra prize in 
Silver-spangled. Air. Teebay took first, and Air. Dixon, second, 
with two highly-meritorious pens. Air. Dixon also took first 
prize in Silver-pencilled ; Air. Griffiths running him hard up. 
The Polands afforded an easy triumph to Air. Dixon. 
Th? class for any other variety, contained seven different 
