42 
FANCIERS’ JOURNAL AND POULTRY EXCHANGE. 

‘standard of excellence,’’ in view of the requirements of 
which both birds have been bred. Now, with such a stand- 
ard as I propose above, this decision would be arrived at in 
the following manner: Take the first point mentioned in 
the standard of the breed, which we will suppose to be 
‘““comb.”? Of the two birds to which it is to be applied, 
the one having the most perfect comb, according to the de- 
scription in the schedule, should be marked as correct; now 
we have something we can see, which is before our eyes, by 
which to judge the other; and we mark against him, ac- 
cording to the amount of defect which his comb exhibits as 
compared with the more perfect one, which for the occasion 
we have taken as the standard; in this way we proceed 
with all the points applying each in turn, by taking the 
bird having the point in the greatest perfection as the stand- 
ard to judge the other by, marking against him such pro- 
portion of the value as given to that point, as the point 
bears to the more perfect one; then by adding up the fig- 
ures the one having the least will carry a majority of the 
most valuable points in the greatest perfection, and will of 
course be the better bird. 
In like manner this method can be used in judging a large 
class; first going through the class, marking off all disqual- 
ified pens; then going through again, marking off such 
defective specimens which, as can at once be seen, would 
have no chance of winning, until the competition is reduced 
down to a comparatively small number of pens. These pens 
which are now left for arbitration, should be taken out from 
among the others and placed altogether, so that they can be 
compared by the judges with the least amount of trouble, 
and to the best possible advantage. They can then be figured 
as in the case of the two birds mentioned above, and the 
awards made in conformity. In connection with this, I 
should like, also, to propose a plan, by which we may be 
enabled to correct such errors as might appear in the new 
standard; and also, that we may make such necessary 
changes as will, from time to time, appear desirable in conse- 
quence of the advancement made in breeding. The fact that 
the existing ‘‘standard’’ has become so impracticable and 
unreliable in the short period of two years, will furnish suffi- 
cient evidence of the necessity of something of this kind. I 
therefore make the following suggestion: That upon the re- 
quest of any fancier or breeder that a certain change be made 
in the standard of excellence, with his reasons for the same, 
the American Poultry Association shall cause the request to 
be published in as many of the poultry papers as is deemed 
desirable, or who will publish it free of charge, inviting all 
persons interested on the question to communicate with the 
Secretary of the Association, their views on the subject, or 
their reasons why the request should not be granted. At the 
annual meeting, a committee shall be appointed, its mem- 
bers having no personal interest in the matter, to examine 
the evidence presented to them, and to make a report to be 
acted upon in full meeting; or if it is thought best the com- 
mittee shall have full power to decide the question at issue. 
If the alteration is made, the Association should cause it to 
be published in the poultry papers, and the poultry societies 
notified ; so that the judging can be in conformity with the 
same. 
I think that the best results would accrue from the adop- 
tion, by the American Poultry Association, of an article in 
their constitution founded upon some plan similar to the 
above; it would do away, in a great measure, with the ill- 
effects of a ‘‘fixed’’ standard. I am very glad that Mr. 

Woodward has expressed his opinions on this question, as 
they will undoubtedly cause considerable study and thought 
to be given to the subject, which will probably result in 
some satisfactory solution at the meeting to be held in 
Buffalo, on the 15th proximo. 
GrorcE F. CLARKE. 
Bosron, December, 1873. . 

NEW HAMPSHIRE POULTRY SOCIETY. 
Tue seventh annual exhibition will be held in the City 
Hall, Manchester, February 24, 25, and 26, 1874. The 
Society and special premiums amount to nearly one thousand 
dollars, which are open to the competition of the world. 
For rules, premium lists, entry blanks, &c., address 
Wma. G. GArMON, Secretary, 
Manchester, N. H. 
+ 

OFFICE oF THE IowA SratTE PouLTRY ASSOCIATION, 
Crepar Raptps, December 21, 1878. 
Jos. M. Wane, Esq. 
Dear Sir: Our exhibition is over, and has been a success. 
The show of birds was all our hall could hold, and though 
there was a lack of some of the rarer varieties, the quality 
of those shown was excellent, and every one was both grati- 
fied and surprised to see so many fine birds, owned almost 
entirely in our State. Financially we are all right, and 
already have a good bid for the location next year. 
I showed the Journal you sent me to all the fanciers 
present I could find, and every one liked it very much, and 
I think you will get quite a number of subscribers and adver- 
tisements from this state. 
The Journal is just what I have long wished for. The 
monthly journals are first-rate, but I get hungry for news 
in regard to our specialties between the time of publication, 
and I welcome the Fanciers’ Journal as the one thing needed 
to supply a long-felt want. May success crown your effort 
is my heartfelt wish. Very truly yours, 
C. J. WARD, 
Secretary I. 8. P. A. 
N.B.—Please find inclosed list of Premiums awarded at 
The Iowa State Poultry Association. 
Light Brahma Fowls. First, E. I. Purdy, Blairstown, 
Towa; third, George Richardson, Atlantic, Lowa. 
Light Brahma Chicks, First and second, OC. J. Ward, 
Cedar Rapids; third, EH. I. Purdy; fourth, F. 8. Hedges, 
Fairfax, Iowa; fifth, H. C. Piatt, Tipton, Iowa. 
Dark Brahma Fowls. First, W. D. Watrous, Cedar 
Rapids; second, H. C. Piatt, Tipton. 
Dark Brahma Chicks. First, C. J. Ward, Cedar Rapids ; 
second, L. H. Barnes, Blairstown, Lowa; third, H. C. Dar- 
rah, Dubuque; fourth, O. Jay Ferree, DeWitt, Iowa; fifth, 
J. H. Streeter, Cedar Rapids. 
Buff Cochin Fowls. First, H. C. Piatt, Tipton; second, 
Ferguson Brothers, Cedar Rapids. 
Buff Cochin Chicks, First, C. J: Ward, Cedar Rapids; 
second, H. C. Darrah, Dubuque; third, H. C. Piatt, Tipton. 
Partridge Cochins. First, Z. C. Luse & Son, Iowa City ; 
second, Miss Madge Tupper, Des Moines. j 
Partridge Cochin Chicks. First, L. H. Barnes, Blairs- 
town; second, Z. C. Luse & Son, Iowa City; third, H. C. 
Piatt, Tipton ; fourth, O. C. Leonard, Cedar Rapids. 
