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breeds; general style and carriage fifth; comb, head, wat- 
tles, and hackles siwth; limbs, feathering thereof, &c., 
seventh; and so on to the end in detail. And I would espe- 
cially contend for consistency in the numbers of points 
accorded to any qualifications in a class of fowls of more 
than one variety; so that, for example, in Light Brahmas, 
symmetry should not be counted at 10 points, while in the 
Dark Brahmas symmetry should be counted at 15 points, as 
the new American standard indicates. Is there any reason 
nameable why we should aim to breed either of these fine 
varieties differently, so far as their symmetry is concerned ? 
Or, to go one step further toward the ridiculous, let me ask 
why Dark Brahmas’ feet should be feathered to the ends of 
outside and middle toes, while Light Brahmas are as expli- 
citly required (in this last standard) not to be feathered on 
the middle toes? Whichever way may be most desirable, 
breed for it, but let both colors of this same fowl be 
“nointed”’ and ‘ qualified ’’ alike. 
These manifest blunders are suggested by way of correc- 
tion only. Such paradoxical nonsense simply raises a smile 
at the expense of the men who set up such silly ‘“‘rules”’ to 
govern us in breeding poultry, to say nothing of their need- 
lessness and utter impracticability. In fine, to avoid making 
this article tedious, let me recapitulate my suggestions briefly : 
I would now have a general convention called by the 
‘‘American Poultry Association,’ or otherwise, at some 
point most convenient for the majority of fanciers, say in 
July or August. I would have this convention attended 
fully by all the friends to improvement in American poultry. 
I would then and there invite and allow the fullest discus- 
sion on this standard question. I would not charge the 
people three dollars for the opportunity thus to ‘‘ free their 
minds ’’ upon this important subject. I would have every- 
thing conducted fairly, openly, good naturedly, and pleas- 
antly, with a view to making everybody contented with the 
results we shall aim to compass. I would recommend the 
choice of qualified committees to report upon the details of 
the different requirements in the standard, as to points of 
excellence for breeding. I would not ask those committees 
to so ‘report in three days time, without fail.’ I would 
give each committee all the time they need to do their work 
thoroughly, advisedly, and well; and permit all who cannot 
readily report to the convention direct to take their work 
home with them, and report when they have had leisure to 
complete it, within reasonable limits. I would not, on any 
pretence, hurry this matter, unduly, on this occasion. I 
would have the Executive Committee subsequently call a 
final meeting (when all is submitted), at which any leading 
breeders should, for this purpose only, also be permitted to 
meet with them, to conclude and put into form the contents 
for the revised work. Whatever good, feasible matter is 
contained in former standards, retain or adopt in this. I 
would then publish the work at the lowest price it can be 
put upon the market for, and be weld done, without ‘ copy- 
righting.”’ 
And I believe that such a standard would be welcomed 
and adopted by every poultry society in the United States; 
while breeders, dealers, and fanciers would gladly purchase 
them, at wholesale, for gratuitous distribution among their 
customers to a large extent, thus aiding in disseminating the 
information such a book ought to contain, and indirectly 
‘(helping the cause along ’’ among the people at largey who 
may be chicken-raisers, but who do not belong to any regu- 
larly organized association. 

While I lay claim to no superior knowledge regarding 
the subject thus presented, it seems to me, Mr. Kditor, that 
the above hints can hardly be found fault with. They are 
submitted in good faith, at least, by an experienced breeder, 
and I trust the views herein set down may be received for 
what they may seem to be intrinsically worth. 
MELROSE, Mass., May, 1874. 

(For Fanciers’ Journal.) 
THE AMERICAN POULTRY ASSOCIATION. 
Epitor oF FANCIERS’ JOURNAL. 
The Poultry Association and its action has caused nu- 
merous comments and criticisms in the columns of many of 
the agricultural publications of the land and in the pages of 
the Journal. Some of them seem to be rather severe, but 
it must be admitted that too many of them are well merited. 
More than one of the writers who are ready to impugn the 
motives of the organizers of the Association should bear in 
mind that their past transactions have not always been 
above reproach, and for that reason their opposition might 
cause suspicion rather than confidence; yet many of them 
are veterans in our cause, and their experience and years of 
study entitle their opinions to due weight. 
The abortion of a book to which the Association stands 
sponsor, and for which it has the impudence to demand one 
dollar, is deserving of all the slurs and sneers it has re- 
ceived. Already the Association, almost officially, admits 
as much, and have taken steps looking to improvement. 
They demand an opportunity to make amends for their 
shortcomings, and it is only proper that the fancy of the 
country give them the desired opportunity to place them- 
selves right before the world. 
I am only an amateur, in my third year of ‘the fever,” 
having exhibited but three times, and contented myself 
with five prizes; yet I desire to offer a few suggestions re- 
garding the Association for the attention of my seniors: 
In the first place allow me to suggest a radical change in 
Article II of the Constitution. In my opinion, the object 
of the Association should have some other point than 
‘always be for the perfection of the American Standard of 
Excellence ;” for if this standard is ever attained, the prin- 
cipal object of the Association is accomplished, and it would 
naturally die. I have no dbjection to the Association own- 
ing their present “standard,’’ and if they succeed in com- 
piling a valuable one, they should certainly retain possession 
of it. Unless the future efforts of the Association shall be 
more able than their past have been, I doubt if they are 
often called upon to ‘‘advise with and assist all poultry 
organizations in the selection of judges in 
good standing and ability,’’ and I fear it will not receive 
the cordial support and co-operation of local poultry asso- 
ciations. 
If the “A. P. A.” has no other aim than the manage- 
ment of the Standard of Excellence, and no other means of 
support than the profits made on the work, it had better 
dissolve, and make way for an association with other and 
nobler aspirations. Were it understood by farmers and the 
fancy that every member of this Association could be 
depended upon for strict, honest, and upright dealing, it 
would be worth at least twenty-five dollars to a breeder to 
have the privilege of advertising himself as a member of the 
‘A, P. A.;” and here is the foundation of a successful asso- 
ciation—a vein that, if properly worked, is of more value 
(not only to an association, but to the entire fancy of the 
