THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, August 3, 1858. 
Ilornby, of Knowsley Cottage, deservedly triumphed by taking 
a first, and also second prize, in both these classes. 
The Spanish class can scarcely be too highly commended : 
there was hardly an indifferent pen ; the competition was very 
close, and it was evident that condition had influenced the 
opinions of the Judges. The general improvement in this 
class is, indeed, extraordinary, as no doubt exists, that oft- 
times first prizes have been obtained by fowls, far inferior to 
those that, at Chester, were compelled to take a fourth position. 
In the Game classes, a peculiar feature must be obvious to 
any attentive spectator, viz., the very high condition in which 
these fowls are now exhibited, compared with those of former 
years. A more striking example could not be imagined, than 
the cock in the first first-prize pen, and there were not a few 
others closely approximating. 
The Cochins were undoubtedly the worst class in the Show, 
the owners, in many instances, having quite neglected to 
properly match their birds, whilst deformed combs were com- 
j paratively general. 
The Brahma class was far better than usual ; indeed, the 
match and condition of these birds excited many expressions 
of favour. 
The Hamburgh fowls, as might naturally be expected, did 
not show to their usual advantage; as at the period of the year 
just prior to moulting, not only does the ground colour fade 
exceedingly, but even the markings always lose the greater 
proportion of their lustre; still, in the four classes allotted 
them, many most excellent fowls were to be selected. 
Class 11 ( Polands ) was, numerically considered, a weak 
one ; not so as to quality, however ; indeed, they proved them¬ 
selves universally attractive to the company assembled. 
The season of the year is particularly adverse to the exhibi¬ 
tion of first-class Geese , yet, I will venture to say, more 
colossal specimens have rarely, if ever, competed. 
I confess myself somewhat disappointed in both the Ayles¬ 
bury and likewise the llouen DucJcs ; both varieties were small 
in size, and a goodly number faulty in character. The class 
for East Indian Bucks made ample amends for the short¬ 
comings of their neighbours; for never before has there been 
exhibited so excellent a collection. 
The Turkeys were a marvellously good class, and it is really 
difficult to offer an opinion as to how far these aristocratic 
birds are capable of improvement. 
Having thus cursorily given a few general remarks on the 
individual classes, and also expressed the universal opinion of 
those best informed in such matters, as to the excellence of the 
collection as a whole, I cannot forbear alluding to the con¬ 
tinually thronged state of the ground, appropriated to the 
poultry, comparatively with any other portion of the Society’s 
exhibition. Such T consider as convincing proof (were any 
necessary) of the popularity of this department, especially 
among lady visitors. 
This is easily accounted for, as it is well known our agricul¬ 
tural friends have, from time immemorial, generally appointed 
the proceeds of the poultry-yard as “pin-money” to the 
female portion of the household. Where well-conducted, few 
persons would imagine the aggregate amount from the sale of 
eggs and yearly produce. They not unfrequently entirely 
clothe the family , and by so doing naturally secure the 
especial interests of their female supervisors ; yet this very 
important item in agricultural produce, the Royal Society have 
doomed to exclusion from their future prize lists, to its mani¬ 
fest neglect and discouragement. I trust, however, popular 
opinion may cause a reconsideration of this important matter. 
MERITS OF TUMBLERS. 
I AM startled at an answer, printed in your issue of July 6, 
to a question from a correspondent, signed “ One who 
would LIKE TO keep the best,” on the subject of Tumbler 
; Pigeons. In answer, B. P. B. writes, “ The high fancy birds 
I are bred to shape and feather. They are not esteemed as 
‘ Tumblers, for they rarely tumble much.’ ” 
f Now, I beg to say, that, for some time past, I have kept 
Tumblers (at least, so I fancied them), and my great, chief, 
—nay, only reason for keeping them is, on account of their 
beautiful flight, and of their peculiarity of tumbling. May I, 
therefore, without for a moment calling into question the 
opinion of your noted correspondent, ask B. P. B. why was 
this breed of Pigeons originally called Tumblers ? In what 
other attainment does their value consist ? For surely they 
are diminutive, and I see no remarkable beauty in feather or 
shape ; and also, why did he not allow us to remain in bliss¬ 
ful ignorance, we who have been fancying ourselves proprietors 
of a most remarkable breed, merely on account of their liability 
to tumbling, or shall I call them “ Rolling Dutchmen P ” And 
lastly, from what source does he obtain his information P Or 
is it merely his own experience ? 
In conclusion, may I say, that in my gross ignorance, I 
have shot and otherwise put to death several of this breed of 
Tumblers, for the sole reason that they were wanting in what 
I, in my ignorance, considered their chief attribute. 
Would any other of your correspondents give their opinion ? 
—A Welshman. 
[In reply to “A Welshman,” I have to apologise for 
startling him from his equanimity. Nevertheless it is a fact, 
that in the high-bred, short-faced Tumblers, birds worth from 
£5 to £10 each, the fact of their tumbling is never taken into 
consideration. True, I have heard my father say he had seen 
an Almond cock that would tumble in flying across a loft; 
and Mr. J. M. Eaton, in his excellent work on Pigeons, also 
mentions having seen a flight of Almonds tumble; but such 
are the exceptions, not the rule. 
The reason is very evident. The birds are bred exclusively 
for competition on the five points, and are exhibited accord¬ 
ingly, and it would be impossible for the Judges, or umpires, 
to decide which of the two or more birds competing tumbled 
best, they only seeing them in the show-pens. Thus, this 
highest of all properties, flying and tumbling, have been 
totally disregarded, and the bird in consequence has almost 
lost the very property from which it derived its name. 
If “A Welshman” is desirous of knowing in what the 
five properties consist, I advise him by all means to procure 
Mr. J. M. Eaton’s book, which is advertised in these columns. 
I hope, however, “A Welshman” will not give up his fancy 
for flying and tumbling birds, which, to my liking, are much 
superior. There is no part of the Pigeon fancy that so 
much delights me as the sight of a good soaring and tumbling 
flight of Tumblers; yet I cannot shut my eyes to the fact, 
nor would it be right of me to attempt to blind others to it, 
that our good flying and tumbling birds would have little to 
show in the exhibition pen; and if we desired to sell them, 
none of the dealers would give us more than from Is. to 2s. 6d. 
per pair for them ; though a person desiring good tumbling 
birds would, if he could depend on the vendor, give much 
more, as really good tumbling Tumblers are very scarce. 
I should feel pleased to hear again from your correspondent 
a description of his birds, as their flying and tumbling would 
be interesting.—B. P. Brent. 
YORK ASSOCIATION for the IMPROVEMENT 
OF POULTRY.— July 16 . 
For some time past a feeling has been very prevalent in 
this city that an annual Poultry Show ought to be held, 
for the improvement of the various breeds of fowls; and it 
was also considered that York ought to have a grand central 
Poultry Exhibition for the county. In furtherance of these 
views, an active and influential Committee was appointed, 
when Mr. John Bainbridge, of Fishergate Villa, consented to 
perform the duties of Treasurer, and Mr. Robt. Smith, cutler, 
of High Ousegate, those of Secretary. 
The patronage of many of the nobility and gentry of the 
county was readily obtained; and the Right Hon. Lord 
Londesborougli kindly consented to act as President of the 
Society. An appeal was made to the public for subscriptions, 
and, as the movement became a popular one, a most liberal 
response was made to the call, and in a little time upwards of 
£100 were obtained. A schedule, offering about that amount- 
in prizes, was published, including the President’s prizes of 
four pieces of plate for the best pen of Dorking, Spanish, 
Cochin-China, and Game fowls. These prizes consisted of a i 
splendid silver cup, a silver cruet-stand, silver fish knife and 
fork, and a silver cake basket, the aggregate value of which 
being about £20. Such a liberal scale of awards soon pro- 
