638 
FANCIERS’ JOURNAL AND POULTRY EXCHANGE. 
^ ANCIER3’ Jj OURNAL AND^ OULTRY (j^XCHANGE, 
JOSEPH M. WADE, Editor and Proprietor. 
A. N. Raub, Associate Editor. 
Published Semi-Monthly at 39 N. Ninth St., Philadelphia. 
SUBSCRIPTION. 
Single Copies, by mail, $0 10 
Per Annum, 2 50 
Per Annum to Canada, 2 70 
Per Annum to England, 3 54 
Specimen Copies, Free. 
EDITORIA L DEPA R TMENT. 
MANAGEMENT OF POULTRY SHOWS. 
We are told that Peter wept at the crowing of a cock, and 
that Rome was saved by a goose. Now, if the crowing of 
cocks will make men weep, and the cackling of geese save 
cities, there is hope for us so long as we keep up our interest 
in these birds. This is the object of our poultry societies. 
When, a few years ago, our pioneer society opened its first 
exhibition in a New England city, they little thought of the 
magnitude to which, in so short a time, this poultry interest 
would attain, nor of the splendid harvest which has followed 
from the seed thus sown. Prom Maine to Florida, and 
from the Atlantic to the Pacific, come the tidings of new 
societies which are springing up in almost every State, and 
the spirit has been so infused into the people that we should 
not be much surprised to hear of an exhibition around the 
North Pole, or under the palms of the tropics. The season 
of our annual exhibitions is close at hand, and a few words 
upon their management may not be amiss. When our poul- 
try societies were first organized, the contributors were at- 
tracted to their exhibitions by prizes which were then con- 
sidered sufficiently liberal, but with the organization of new 
societies in our larger cities, there has arisen a strife in the 
matter of prizes that has grown to a proportion which, un- 
less controlled by the good sense of those who have them in 
charge, will be very likely to work disastrously to the whole 
poultry interest, if not entirely destroy the present system 
of exhibitions. It seems very clear to us that each society 
should prepare its prize-list in accordance with its ability to 
meet the demands which such list will make upon its treas- 
ury, and such society should in no case be led beyond the 
bounds of prudence by the bolder or more ambitious efforts 
of its neighbor. In this way, and only in this way, can we 
hope to place our societies upon a sound basis, and retain the 
confidence of those upon whose patronage their existence so 
largely depends. There is another thing in the management 
of our exhibitions Avhich should be met at once, and cor- 
rected by all our poultry societies. We refer to the employ- 
ment of judges who are incompetent, from lack of knowl- 
edge of the varieties or classes upon which they are called 
to pass judgment. We do not feel like advising in a matter 
of so great importance, and therefore we will simply throw 
out the suggestion that, at the next meeting of our National 
Association, a board of experts should be selected, a part of 
whom shall take all our Eastern and the other part our 
Western States, and that the different societies who desire 
their exhibitions to be judged by these experts, be required 
to pay into a general fund such an annual assessment as will 
meet their expenses. By this method we shall avoid the 
many errors to which we are now subjected on account of 
incompetent judging, and sweep from our exhibitions all 
the trash which is now admitted under the name of poultry. 
Let us then, as poultry men, stand side by side in these 
and all needed reforms, and we shall soon place our societies 
and their exhibitions upon a sounder basis than any upon 
which they have heretofore rested. 
E. S. Ongley, of Auburn, N. Y., has just received for 
George B. Bailey, of San Erancisco, Cal., from the cele- 
brated yards of Henry Beldon, of Bingley, Yorkshire, Eng., 
one trio each of Golden and Silver-spangled Polands ; also 
one trio of Black Hamburgs, of which Mr. Beldon says : “ I 
much disliked to part with, they being my particular pets, 
and winners of many premiums.” 
“ irresponsible correspondents.” 
Under this heading the October World explains when it 
is and when it is not proper for a correspondent to use a 
non de plume (meaning, we suppose, a nom de plume) ; and, 
at the same time, seems to be seriously agitated over “ three ” 
shots at the World from a late edition of The Fanciers’ Jour- 
nal ; which, judging from the emotions aroused, were 
evidently not blank charges, having penetrated a tender 
place, otherwise “ an ” modest man, not being guilty, or de- 
siring “ any approach to notoriety,” would not have cause 
to defend himself in so lame a manner. 
The three articles the World refers to, no doubt contain. 
facts that actions have shown to be undeniable. Some men 
will not be convinced when they know they are wrong; but, 
like the miser of Berkshire, who would ruin a good horse 
to escape a turnpike, so will they ride their high bred theo- 
ries to death, in order to come at truth through by-paths or 
indirect ways ; while she (truth) herself is jogging quietly 
along upon the high and beaten road of common sense. If 
there were no truths in these assertions, does not the World 
know that false reasoners are often best confuted by giving 
them the full swing of their own absurdities ? Why then 
notice them ? Perhaps there is too much smoke to be no fire. 
Or, perhaps, a writer may have numerous reasons for not 
desiring his name to appear. He may be “ modest,” and 
could have sufficient reasons, without in any way being dis- 
honest for withholding it. A thousand plausible reasons 
could be given for writing under a nom de plume. 
As regards the names mentioned “ who have character to 
maintain,” could they not better “maintain” it were they 
to write less about their specialties , and more that would be 
of “general interest?” It would certainly appear more as 
if they were not desiring to grind their axes. The fact is, 
this style of Brahmanism is becoming too much of a “gulp” 
for the profession to swallow ; and if breeders insist on 
heaping on their stock in such a way that they can have 
their articles serve the double purpose of an advertisement 
and “ notoriety,” they will not only become “ disgusting,” 
but eventually be considered humbugs, which even the 
“ pedigree ” bubble will not buoy up above the tide of pub- 
lic opinion. Doubtless, did the World know who these 
nom de plumists are, its grandiloquent style of challenge 
would dwindle down to as insignificant a thing as its answer 
is to the grave charges brought against it. 
