337 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, August 24, 1858. 
revise of a sinecure. Let any one, for example, walk care¬ 
fully along the class for Spanish chickens, or for single 
cockerels of this highly and justly-valued variety, and the 
difficulty would be to find any single entry that was not a 
good one. Indeed, our conviction is very strong, that triumphs 
in these classes will be more difficult of attainment in a year 
or so than than they have ever yet been. A ready reason 
may be assigned,—most breeders are now cognizant of the 
needful requirements of prize-taking, and, by practical ex¬ 
perience in mating the parent birds, breed almost the whole 
of their chickens with the coveted characteristics. 
In coloured Dorkings, not a few of the exhibitors had 
forced nature too far, and by increasing the weight of their 
favourites, without proper exercise and freedom, had produced 
malformation of the legs, and, in some instances, inability of 
locomotion. As this mistake is fast extending itself, we par¬ 
ticularly guard our friends from adopting such ill-advised 
expedients, that can never promote any feelings but those 
arising from discomfiture, pecuniary loss, and self-wrought 
disappointment. 
The improvement in size and character of the White 
Dorkings also, w T as one of the most striking features of the 
Exhibition, and worthily elicited from the Judges, Messrs. 
Baily and Hewitt, an unusually high commendation. 
The Game classes were marvels of superior breeding. But 
we cannot refrain from again impressing on the minds of 
our readers, the reckless folly of placing these proverbially 
pugnacious birds together for the first time in a hamper, and 
then sending them away immediately for exhibition. Two 
pens were received by the never-tiring secretary, Mr. 
Houghton, in so fearfully hideous a condition, from the 
master-birds having actually eaten away portions of flesh as 
large as crown pieces, that they were very properly at once 
removed from public gaze, and would most certainly be en¬ 
tirely valueless, if living, when they reached home. 
The competition in the Polands and Hamburghs was limited; 
still many most praiseworthy chickens were exhibited. 
The Aylesbury Ducks w r ere scarcely so heavy as we antici¬ 
pated, and some few of the Rouens were faulty in feather. 
The Geese were very superior, but, contrary to custom, the 
Greys had the advantage in the scale. 
The Turkey Poults were very excellent, and, by reference 
to the prize list, it will be seen that the premiums were se¬ 
cured by that celebrated breeder, Mr. Brand, of Cambridge. 
The Labrador Ducks were peculiarly praiseworthy specimens, 
there being an almost faultless collection of these attractive 
birds. 
The Sebright Bantams were not meritorious, the se- 
verities of la3t spring killing most of the early hatched ones. 
The Black Bantams, however, made ample amends for this 
shortcoming. There was never a better collection, public atten¬ 
tion being evidently enlisted to breed them. The Game 
Bantams were superior. A great rivalry seems now to exist 
among the breeders of this truly beautiful variety of fancy 
birds; neither does any class show greater improvement than 
this. 
Although it is hopeless for poultry committees to aspire to 
a Crystal Palace for their local Meetings, still we cannot allow 
the present opportunity to pass by, without suggesting that 
there are but few (who anxiously desire to carry out a Show 
efficiently) who might not gain much valuable additional in¬ 
formation, by inspecting the arrangements of the present 
Show. Nothing is left to be desired, every possible credit is 
due to Mr. Houghton, and each returning Exhibition adds 
materially to the popularity of these Meetings. 
POULTRY FOR PROFIT. 
Poultry-keeping having been for some years an object of 
interest and attention to a numerous class, we may now 
reasonably ask for the results. 
As regards the birds merely bred for feather, we arc not con¬ 
cerned, beyond the degree to which they may severally share 
the claim of being profitable as well as handsome. Some classes, 
however, it will be found, are fortunate enough to possess both 
these recommendations,—beauty of form and plumage being- 
added to acknowledged merit as poultry. Hence becomes 
manifest the truth of what was long ago asserted in the pages 
of The Cottage Gakdenee, viz., that the merely fancy bird 
would never maintain the high position to which accident 
might have raised it, if it should prove deficient in the pro¬ 
perties that are requisite for economical purposes. 
An illustration is ready at hand,—Would the Spanish fowls 
have ever kept their high place in public estimation, as 
evidenced by the prices they still command, if they had not 
been so meritorious as layers ? Again, size equal and even 
superior to that of the Dorking might readily be attained, 
but not combined with the peculiar merit of those fowls for 
the table. 
Let the different breeds be now passed briefly in review, that 
it may be seen in what degree they have severally realised the 
expectations of their respective advocates. 
Beginning with the Cochin China (for usage has confirmed 
this appellation, though it may well be doubted if a single 
specimen ever came from the district bearing that name), 
have they justified what was said in their favour on their first 
introduction ? It is not affirmed, let it be borne in mind, that 
all that was urged in their recommendation, by an excessive 
and indiscriminating estimate of their properties, has been at¬ 
tained, The “ Poultry mania,” indeed, in this case carried to 
an extravagant point, told severely against them, so soon as its 
first ardour cooled ; but have we got any better winter layers, 
and is not this a feature that will always be appreciated ? For 
the table, indeed, they occupy a comparatively low position; 
yet even here a wide difference may be observed in the dif¬ 
ferent strains, and little difficulty will now be found in a se¬ 
lection of stock of compact form, which, though inferior to the 
Doiking, and some other breeds, are yet by no means to be 
wholly rejected. The same judgment should be exercised with 
a view to their properties a3 layers, since many strains are far 
more frequently interrupted in their production of eggs, by 
a tendency to sitting, than is found to be the case with 
others. 
Dorkings require little to be said on their behalf, their 
merits being even generally admitted; the result of Poultry 
Exhibitions, as was justly anticipated, having led to an ex¬ 
traordinary increase of size, and, what is no less important, to 
their very early maturing. 
Spanish, in regard to the large number of eggs laid through¬ 
out the year, have fully maintained their position, while their 
remarkable beauty of appearance is held by many to com¬ 
pensate for their drawbacks in reference to the kitchen. 
Malays are, probably, as limited in their numbers as when 
public attention was first bestowed on poultry matters. More, 
therefore, need not be said of them. 
Polish, though admitted to a place in the catalogue of the 
Royal Agricultural Society as “ farm poultry,” have slight 
claims to be so considered. They are, as the Cottage 
Gardener ever urged, strictly fancy poultry, as such indeed 
very beautiful, but there their recommendations cease. 
Game fowls are not exceeded by any in respect to their ex¬ 
cellence for the table ; but their habits and disposition unfit 
them for being kept in the large numbers that are usually re¬ 
quired with that view. 
Hamburghs seem to answer far better in some districts than 
in others ; for from some quarters we have accounts of their 
prolific character as layers, which can not be obtained else¬ 
where. They are small, and but slow in growth, points de¬ 
cidedly against them in the kitchen. 
The Rouen and Aylesbury Ducks are clearly at the head of 
their race, the former being frequently thought to stand first, 
though this may still fairly be left as an open question. 
Geese depend more upon their management, than the se¬ 
lection of a particular breed. Where great size is wanted, the 
large white birds would probably answer best; but a cross 
with the Toulouse has many advantages where smaller birds 
are sufficient. 
Poultry are here spoken of simply as to their economical 
properties for the table; and, where this object only is sought 
for, a combination of Dorkings and Spanish has been fre¬ 
quently adopted. It must not be thought, however, that by 
this word “ combination ” any cross of different breeds is in¬ 
tended, since, of all the principles on which poultry-keeping 
has been managed, none has obtained more general ac¬ 
quiescence than that of keeping your breed, whatever it may 
be, distinct and pure. 
But eggs and fowls must both be liberally provided. Spanish, 
