63 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, April 27, 1858. 
Antirrhinums (X . Y .).—Any of the nurserymen and florists, who 
advertise in our columns, can supply them. We cannot recommend 
any one in particular. 
Lilium I.Ancifolium Frosted—Hkath Cuttings (J. Parks). —You 
would have acted more safely to have taken the lights off your pit during 
the day, and put them on at night. We can hold out little hope of your 
getting blooming shoots this summer ; if so, cut down as you say. Be 
thankful if they grow sufficiently to preserve and ripen their bulbs. 
In previous volumes, you will And full directions on Heath striking. 
Small young shoots, about one inch long, and getting flrmish at their 
base, with the leaves removed from one-eighth to a quarter of an inch 
at the base end, cut clean across there, then dibbled in silver sand, 
in pots suitably prepared and drained, and covered with a bell- 
glass, properly attended to, as previously detailed, will generally 
ensure success. We would repot no Heaths in bloom, or showing 
bloom. The best time to repot is after blooming, and when you have 
given the pruning necessary, and the fresh growth is growing freely. 
In such old plants as yours, much vigour may be given by surface 
dressing. If you resolve on shifting, use pots only a size larger; water 
the balls well previously, and just ease the roots bn the surface of the 
ball with your finger, or a little stick. When these roots run freely 
in the new soil, you may then give a larger shift. In all such.old plants 
there is risk in shifting. 
Inodorous Felt.— A Subscriber may obtain it from Messrs. Morton 
and Co., 2, Basingliall Buildings, Leeds. 
POULTRY SHOWS. 
May 2Gth, 27th, and 28th. Birmingham. Secs., Messrs. Titterton 
and Cattell, 26, Worcester Street. 
June 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Bath and West of England. Sec., Mr. 
John Kingsbury, Hammet Street, Taunton. 
June 28th, 29th, and 30th, and July 1st. Sheffield. Sec., Wm. Henry 
Dawson, Sheffield. 
July 8th. Prescot. Sec., Mr. James Beesley. 
August 7th, 9th, 10th, and 11th. Crystal Palace (Summer Show). 
Entries close July 10th. Sec., W. Houghton. 
August 30th and 31st, and September 1st. North Hants. Sec., Mr. 
T. Moore, Fareham, Hants. 
November 29th and 30th, December 1st and 2nd. Birmingham. See., 
Mr. J. Morgan, Entries close November 1st. 
December 17th and 18th. Halifax Fancy Pigeon Show. Sec., Mr. 
IT. Holdsworth, Woolshops, Halifax. 
January 8th, 10th, 11th, and 12th, 1859. Crystal Palace (Winter 
Show*), Sec., W. Houghton. 
N.B.— Secretaries will oblige us by sending early copies of their lists. 
“ MY HONEST FRIEND, WILL YOU TAKE 
EGOS FOR MONEY?” 
— A Winter’s Tale. 
Minutes of evidence taken before a select committee, for 
the purpose of inquiring into the charges made against the 
sellers of eggs. 
R. S.—Clerk in the City. Thinks the egg sellers ought to 
be exposed. Wrote himself to the Times , but they did not 
put his letter in; supposes they would have done so, if paid 
for as an advertisement. Wish they might -; beg the 
committee’s pardon—was going to forget himself. Bought 
some eggs at an egg merchant’s; they were marked, “ new 
laid; ” twenty for a shilling; said they were for sitting. 
Dealer offered to pick some at a penny each; had twelve; 
hatched only one chicken. 
The Chairman said, the result surprised him. 
R. S., continued .—So it did him ; the chicken was a cock. 
Did not know the breed ; had showed it to good amateurs ; 
nobody could tell him. Had remonstrated with the seller; 
he was very rude to him. Had no hesitation in saying, he 
had been infamously swindled ; his own family laughed at him. 
T. B.—Purchased eleven eggs on the 6th of February. The 
hen came off on the 29tli March ; only five chickens. 
Question put—“ If the eggs were bought at the date stated, 
j how was it the hen did not come off earlier ? ” 
T. B.—The plaguy hen would not sit before. Knew he kept 
I them a month before they were put under the hen—what of 
that ? Bought them from seeing an advertisement in The 
j Cottage Gardener. Complained to the person who sold 
them ; had a very civil answer; did’nt offer to replace the bad 
i eggs ; would rather he had been saucy, and had replaced the 
eggs. Would not expect two chickens out of an egg; never 
heard of such a thing. Was quite wilhng to expose the seller, 
but would not subscribe towards the expense of doing so. 
T. F.—Was a grocer for years ; is retired to a cottage ; his ) 
j own property; copyhold, but as good as freehold; has five 1 
acres of meadow; his own also. Wanted some poultry; 
bought eggs ; liked to superintend and rear his own stock ; all 
the eggs bad; knew it from the first. Took them from under 
the hen, and tried them in cold water every day ; broke them, 
and threw them away; no chickens in them ; knew there were 
not; not angry; won’t catch him buying eggs again. Happy 
to see any of the committee. Laurel Cottage, facing the brick¬ 
field, and next door to the public-house. 
H. B.—Bought eggs of five different people; thirteen of 
each. Hatched two-thirds; would have been satisfied with 
half; all good birds ; taken several prizes. Thought the fault 
was generally with the buyer more than the seller. 
W. W.—Bought eggs for years ; always did well; bought 
and sold now; meant to continue; all his stock reared from 
bought eggs ; would show against any one. It was a parcel 
of stuff to say travelling hurt them. Sold three birds for 
£12, that came out of three half-crown eggs. Had complaints 
some times ; could not help them; did not care for the m 
F. G. R. de L. Jones. —Came forward on principle. Per¬ 
sonally had nothing to complain of; rather liked to see his 
name in print. Thought those who exposed imposture ought 
to be supported; had a natural contempt for dealers ; liked to 
show them up. Considered himself strictly an amateur; never 
exhibited. Bought three sets of eggs of a dealer ; hatched 
nearly all; always considered it an accident. Was a profes¬ 
sional man—not exactly a medical man, but he had discovered 
an antibilious pill. His fowls were Polands. 
X. Y. Z.—Said he had only lately taken to poultry; had 
done so with bought eggs only; his success had been astonish¬ 
ing ; he was perfectly satisfied; nay, more, he was delighted; 
advised all his friends to buy eggs. With the chairman’s per¬ 
mission he would detail some of his experiences in crossing. 
The Chairman said, however happy he might be to hear 
them, yet, as it was foreign to the purpose for which the com¬ 
mittee met, he must decline. 
X. Y. Z.—Would merely then remark, that as he had 
observed few people cared for the white of the egg, the atten¬ 
tion of amateurs should be directed to such crosses as would, 
in time, produce them entirely filled with yolk. 
Contrary to custom, we are enabled to state all that trans¬ 
pired. The last witness having retired, the Chairman said, 
“Well, gentlemen, the egg-sellers have it.” “ Yes, yes, yes,” 
said all but one. That gentleman rose, and placing himself in 
a proper attitude, said, “ Sir, when I think, sir, that—that— 
that the eyes of all the poultry are upon us—(laughter) ; I 
mean the—the poultry world. When, sir—I think, sir—the 
eyes, sir—as I said, sir—the eyes, sir—of the world, sir—are 
upon us, sir—it is duty, sir—yes, sir—a duty, sir—we owe to, 
sir—to society, sir—to ourselves, sir—and to poultry, sir {sit 
down). I won’t sit down, sir—and sir—I won’t be put down, 
sir. I am the organ of a body—a great body—an aggrieved 
body, sir. I am their mouthpiece, sir—and I should not, sir— 
have done my duty, sir—if I had not, sir—thus plainly repre¬ 
sented their sentiments.” 
Just as he sat down, word was brought the dinner was on 
table, and the chairman, having reported progress, obtained 
leave to sit again. 
BIRMINGHAM SUMMER POULTRY SHOW. 
We have to announce a second annual Poultry Show for 
Birmingham. The meeting now determined on, we are 
authentically informed, is not in any way antagonistic to the 
original December Show, for which Birmingham is every¬ 
where renowned, although proceeding from quite a different 
committee of management. The premiums are liberal, and 
the exhibition will take place in Bingley Hall, as on previous 
occasions of the Birmingham Winter Poultry Show. This 
arrangement is with the perfect concurrence of the Binning - 
ham Council. 
Its promoters hope that, from the proceeds of the coming 
Show, a “Summer Chicken ” Show for Birmingham will be 
permanently established; but, from the time to give notice 
being somewhat limited, it was, at the onset, deemed prudent 
to confine the first exhibition to fowls that are adult. 
It is arranged for all eggs laid during the exhibition to be 
broken immediately, by parties specially retained lor that 
purpose; and another rule, that will he strictly enforced, pro¬ 
hibits “any member of the Committee, or any exhibitor, 
