84 
WISCONSIN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, 
DEPARTMENT E. —POULTRY. 
BY D. J. CLARK, SUPERINTENDENT. 
In this department, the entries are somewhat larger than they 
were last year; though they are smaller than they were in 1873 and 
1874. The society is greatly indebted to Mr. H. D. Gardner, assist¬ 
ant superintendent of this department, who, by going to poultry 
breeders, succeeded in getting a large number of fowls, that other¬ 
wise would not have been exhibited. The quality of the birds, I 
am happy to say, with but few exceptions, is very good. Few per¬ 
sons are aware of the enormous value of the poultry product of the 
United States, or even this state, nor are they aware of the im¬ 
provement which has been made within the past few years, by care¬ 
ful selection and breeding. And yet, when we look at the premi¬ 
um list, we fine! it the smallest of all, compared with the value of 
the production, and the attractiveness of a really good exhibition. 
Our show comprises live coops of Light Brahmas; two coops of Dark 
Brahmas; four coops of Buff Cochins; four coops of Partridge 
Cochins; eight coops of Games; five coops of Plymouth Rocks; 
four coops of Black Spanish; four coops of Brown Leghorns; nine 
coops of White Leghorns; two coops of Houdans; one coop of 
White Crested White Polish; two coops of Black Red Game Ban¬ 
tams; one coop of Golden Seabright Bantams; one coop Silver 
D. Wing Game Bantams; one coop of Wild Geese; 3 coops of 
Aylesbury Ducks; two coops of Rouen Ducks. 
A greater variety and larger showing could, and would be had, 
by holding out inducements, by suitable premiums, that would in a 
measure compensate the breeder of choice and valuable fowls for 
the risk he takes in sending them a long distance to put them on 
exhibition. While under the present arrangements, only those will 
exhibit who reside at a near and convenient locality to the Fair, 
and are willing to sell such birds as they show. 
I know that the stock in this state is worthy to compete success¬ 
fully with any in the United States, and it only needs encourage¬ 
ment commensurate with its value to brin^ it out. I would there- 
fore suggest the following changes to be made in the next list 
issued, viz: that all fowls be shown in pairs instead of trios, as here¬ 
tofore, and that the sum ot $300 be apportioned to this department, 
