INTRODUCTION. 
The American Poultry Association was organized at 
a meeting held in the city of Buffalo, New York, February 15, 
1873. The attendance was composed principally of delegates 
from state and county associations, prominent breeders and 
fanciers from different parts of the United States and Canada, 
and other interested persons. The object was to formulate and 
adopt a standard of excellence to be used exclusively by associa- 
tions in awarding prizes on exhibition poultry. A constitution and 
by-laws were adopted, and a complete standard was made for 
all the then-recognized varieties of domestic and ornamental 
fowls. Mr. W. H. Churchman, of Wilmington, Delaware, was 
the first president, and Mr. J. M. Wade, of Philadelphia, Pennsyl- 
vania, the first secretary. Provision was made for annual meet- 
ings, at which changes could be made in the adopted standard, 
and matters of national importance concerning the poultry 
interest might be considered and acted on. 
Nearly even' large city and poultry center of importance 
has been visited in turn by these annual meetings. The work 
of standard making was so well done in the beginning that but 
few changes, and those of minor importance, have been found 
necessary. New breeds and varieties have been added; but the 
policy has been, and is, to admit only such as have become well 
established, and that clearly are entitled to the distinctive term, 
" standard-bred. " 
The first edition of the Standard was printed and issued to 
the public in February, 1874. It has been followed by others 
containing such changes and additions as have been made from 
time to time by authority of The American Poultry Association. 
The American Standard of Perfection, as now given to the 
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