Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-03-06

Of professional poultry breeders, gentlemen who
have made a specially of the business of i'm
porting and introducing the finest specimens of
foreign poultry, and have spent much time and
patience in improving the domestic stock 1t
is composed mostly of Worcester county gentle
men, though it comprises among its members,
prominent poultry fanciers from all parts of the
country.
The exhibition, in point of number of en-
tries, is perhaps not quite up to that of last
year; but as regards variety, beauty and gen
eral excellence of specimens it is far superior to
any former show here.
There would undoubtedly have been a much
larger collection of fowls had it not been for the
meeting of the Massachusetts poultry associa-
ton in Boston last week. This association, with
questionable courtesy, after having arranged
the time for their exhibition, twice postponed it,
and finally, after the circular of the New Eng
land club had been sent out, appointed their
meeting Just one week previous. 1t is a source
OF some congratulation 10 the members of the
New England club however, that the largest
amount of premiums given to any one exhibitor
were taken by one of its members, Mr.. II. b.
Ball, of Shrewsbury, This gentleman had
thirty.three coops entered and took thrty-four
premiums, among them three special premiums.
The principal feature connected with the show
which strikes a casual visitor is the noise which
arises from the Threats of the feathered com
petitors. AS one ascends the stairs leading to
the hall, he becomes conscious of confused
murmur of many voices, which gradually grows
louder and more obstrusive, and bursts upon his
ear in grand chorus of discordant melody as
he enters the hall. The vocal efforts are not
confined to any one particular class of birds,
but all, from the plucky little bantam to the
| oyergrown buff cOchnS, seem to vie with each
other in friendly emulation. The dismal quack
of the geese and ducks, the melodious gobble of
the turkeys, the cooling of the doves, the cack-
ling of the hens, and growing of the cocks, min
gle in a din which makes it impossible to hear,
and scarcely to think, at the distance of few
feet
The cOops are more uniform as to size and
shape than last year, most of them being the
property of the Messrs. Lawrence of this city.
They are placed back to back on long tables
running the entire length of the hall, thus leav-
inc a succession Of aisies, lined with poultry in
miniature henneries, two tiers high. There are
four Of these aises, which are broad, and adj
mirably arranged to exhibit every bird to the
best advantage. A new feature of the exhibi-
ton is the arrangement of coops, whereby cocks
and hens are placed in separate coops, being
judged both as trios and as separate birds. This
arrangement seems to meet the approval Of the
exhibitors.
The coops lining the east side Of the hall are
| filed with ducks, and at the back Of the plat
| form are lot of little wooden cages containing
doves and pigeons in almost every variety. On
the front edge of the platform are the residences
of the bantams, hall-coop, halfcage arranged
in .nrce tiers. The display of the different
classes of this variety is very extensive, that of
| bantam game-cocks being larger than the like
class at the Boston show last week. There is
also large variety of light and dark brahmas
and black breasted and red gamecocks and hens
Mr. A. d. Warren exhibits large assortment
| Of the latter variety. In one of his cOops there
is a brood of chickens, Matched Feb %, which
attracts great deal of attention. The most Gu
rious thing in the hall, however, is three-egged
zen, exhibited by Mr.. Knox OF this city 1t is
| neatY a year oid, ana lays eggs WIN tue same
regularity as its more perfectly formed sisters.
The cold weather of yesterday kept some of
the exhibitors flom bringing their fowls, but
they will doubtless be on hand to-day. The
attendance has not been quite as large as
was expected, but it was owing to the same
| cause.
Many prominent amateurs from abroad are
| present, and buying and selling goes on in the
hall, notwithstanding the ten per cent. which
goes to the society from such transactions.
The annual club supper at the Tower house
this evening will not be the least enjoyable part
of the exhibition. A few tickets can be obtained
at the door of the exhibition at any time during
/ tho ,lov