—_— -—» 
.and admired their ungainliness and awkwardness. 
FANCIERS’ JOURNAL 
AND 
PO GERRY “HX OCEAN GE. 


Vou. I. 
PHILADELPHIA, FEBRUARY 19, 1874. 
No. 8. 



(For Fanciers’ Journal.) 
WESTERN NEW YORK POULTRY SHOW. 
Mr. Epitor: 
We attended the Buffalo Show, and, although much hard 
labor was to be performed, we never spent a few days more 
pleasantly. We there came face to face with many of our 
old friends, whom we had long desired to see, but had never 
met before. A short season with the ‘‘ Buffalo boys” and 
those who sojourned with them was enough in itself to fully 
compensate for all the sacrifices of the journey. 
But the Show! It was splendid. Everything was in 
order. We realize our inability to doit justice. Exhibitors, 
as well as officers of the Society, may well feel proud of the 
contents of St. James’ Hall. As we entered the door, a 
long row of pens, two deep, containing magnificent speci- 
mens of Buff Cochins, met our view. Partridges, White 
and Black Cochins were also a credit to their respective 
classes, yet the latter was not so great in numbers. Light 
and Dark Brahmas crowded hard in numbers and quality 
on the Cochins; but we could see more faulty birds in the 
latter variety than in the former. Two coops of Malays 
put in their appearance, and we stopped in front of them 
Ban- 
tams may be the extreme of beauty, but Malays are cer- 
tainly the other extreme. We have had some experience 
with them, and believe they are really a profitable fowl, on 
account of their excellent laying and table qualities. 
Two or three coops of Golden Polands and one of Black 
would cover all in the Poland class that were worthy speci- 
mens. A few good White Dorkings and a very slim dis- 
play of Grays is all that could be said of the Dorking class ; 
but when we come to Hamburgs, we require much time to 
look through the different coops of Golden and Silver varie- 
ties. We never saw a better display, nor better birds. A 
few coops of Black were also shown. With our experience, 
we consider the latter the best of all Hamburgs, and hope 
to see them share as prominent a place in the show-room as 
the others. There were some coops of White Hamburgs, 
but we did not admire them much. The Dominiques and 
Plymouth Rocks were very fairly represented, yet many of 
the former bore strong marks of having been crossed with 
the latter. 
class without comment; we must go to Utica for them. 
Of the Game class, we might throw out a few birds and 
then say we had a show of them worthy of any exhibition ; 
and the same of Game Bantams. There were Black Red, 
Brown Red, Duckwing Pile, Black, and even Irish Gray 
Bantams; and we gazed on them in wonder and admira- 
tion, in view of the dmount of care, study, and perseverance 
required to bring these pets to their present state of perfec- 
tion. A few coops of African and a few of Sebright’s made 
up the class in Bantams. 
* Although water fowls were shown in fair numbers, nearly 
every coop contained good birds, and the Ducks were, with 
We are sorry we are obliged to pass the French 
x 
the exception of Cayugas, far ahead of those shown a few 
years since. We read that we ‘cannot make one hair 
white or black,’’ but we noticed one exhibitor failed to 
agree with that sentence as regards feathers, for one coop of 
Cayugas, which had white patches on their breasts, had 
moulted before the judges had passed on them, and every 
feather was black. The judges, however, understood their 
business, and reported accordingly. One coop of Pekin 
Ducks and only one of Muscovys were shown. We admire 
the former, and think it will be a popular and useful 
variety. 
Two coops of Geese could have been improved for breed- 
ing if they had been ‘slightly mixed ”’ or changed, as one 
contained two ‘‘female geese’’ and the other two ‘‘male 
ganders.’’ In all our experience we have never known 
birds mated in that way to be very productive. 
We must not forget the turkeys, for, although there were 
not a great many, the specimens were noble and creditable. 
Bronze cocks weighing nearly forty pounds, and hens over 
twenty pounds each, some beautiful Buffs, Narragansets, 
Blacks, and Blues were to be seen. 
The fine display of Fish and Minks attracted usual 
attention, and the Dressed Poultry was the finest we have 
ever seen. The Pigeons we will not attempt to describe. 
There were coops upon coops of very superior specimens, 
and they attracted many admirers. When our Buffalo 
friends have another Show, ‘‘ May I be there to see.”’ 
J. Y. BICKNELL. 
Westmoreland, N. Y. 

(For Fanciers’ Journal.) 
NOTES FROM THE EAST. 
No. 4 of the Fanciers’ Journal came promptly. We con- 
sider it just the thing—pleasant to the eye, and good for the 
mind. Short articles right to the point; results of experi- 
ments rather than guess-work; friendly advice, judicious 
counsel, and few advertisements, are some of its good quali- 
ties. Long may it live, and miles may it travel, until every 
bird fancier in the country has booked his name for a copy. 
The ‘‘hen fever’ that has raged in almost every city and 
village in the United States, attacked us early last spring. 
Prompt measures were resorted to, but were of no avail. It 
has continued to gain upon us, and at the present writing 
our quiet little village is all astir, and poultry-houses, sitting 
hens, pretty pullets, and heavy cocks, are the principal sub- 
jects of conversation. Hens are traded as are horses, and 
gentlemen of leisure ride from one town to another to ex- 
amine, compare, and criticize poultry. 
A Society has recently been formed, entitled the Merrimac 
Valley Poultry Association, with General Chas. A. Johnson 
as President, and measures are soon to be taken for a show. 
Medical men, ministers, and mechanics are alike interested. 
There is nothing so well adapted to the wants of all classes, 
to drive dull care away, and rest a weary brain, as the care 
