Worcester daily spy., 1872-03-07

tdCis luC lOldt cAptllSCS VI tue luSlllullOu nave
been S1952.5O, which is s1O47.5O less than the
appropriation,
There are other very interesting matters
treated of in the reports such as the course of
study in the grammar schools and the benefits
Of compulsory education.
The Second Day of the Poultry show.
The attendance yesterday at Horticultural
hall was much larger than on the previous day,
and if the weather should not prevent it will
probably be still larger to-day The coops are
now nearly all filled with meritorious fowls, and
the committee have begun the work of making
the award of premiums, 1t was the intention of
the officers to have had the premiums announced
yesterday afternoon, bat 1t was found impos-
siole to do the work thoroughly in the time
allotted. The awards will he completed and
made public to-day.
The annual club supper was held at the Tower
house last evening. At eight o'clock the com.
pany, to the number of about fifty, sat down to
the heavily loaded tables and devoted themselves
faithfully to the disposal of the viands before
them. During the feast it become evident that,
however much the gentlemen present may talk
about the peculiar eXcellencies and general ad-
vantages of the carefully bred foreign fowl, in
contrast with the common domestic bird, they
were by no means Indifferent to the good quali-
ties of the latter when properly cooked and
served.
At the conclusion of the supper Mr.. o. B.
Hadwen called the company to order and spoke
as follows;
It becomes my duty and privilege, at this, our
elghth annual exhibition, to welcome you on this
occasion, and upon the propitiOus circumstance
under which we meet our friends and gentlemen
from all parts of the New England states We may
reJOlce that the poultry interests are growing
throughout the whole country. In very many Of
the states, poultry clubs are having exhibitions
progressive in their character and wen sustained by
exhibitors and breeders but am so ry to say they
are not always as well patronized their beneficial
influence for the public deserves. Never before in
the exhibitions of our club has there been such
magnificent display of poultry that are em-
phaucaily pure bred, aud when we look
back to our earlier exhibitions and paine
fully remember the mOngrel sorts that filled our
pens, and also those tnat claimed to be well bred
that We're so shockiDgy detective perhaps we may
well congratulate ourselves with the results of our
efforts The knowledge of the fundamental princi-
pie Of breeding pouly is becoming rapidly dissemi-
mated through the influence of the standard of
celence and exhibitions. Breeders are already
showing distinctive features In their strains and
even pedigrees of fowls are being carefully kept
and recorded, These are steps in the right direc-
ton Perhaps there are none OF the domestic ami
mails That afford advantages for rapidly acquiring
and applying the scientific and practical principles
of breeding as domestic poultry. We cannot hope
TO produce new breeds superior to the old ones
until the principles of breeding are thoroughly
derStOod.
Many breeders consider it almost sin to try the
effect of cross, while others aver with good rea-
son that crossing has done much towards the
formation of some of the best breeds, undoubtedly
the Brahma, holding the front rank among
poultry is American breed, obtained by crossing
and not hone in few a witness the
advent of Others, where the good qualities of some
OF the older and well tried sorts have been blended,
and believe they are sure to be forthcoming. We
are largely indebted to the older counties for the
many valuable kinds of fowls shown at our eX nibi-
tions, and IN the Older breeds we are now looking
for perfection, and the winning birds expected
ocome up to the standard in color, FORM size and
| feather.
The American standard of excellence is generally
adopted by the poultry clubs of the country, and,
although not in all respects perfect may from time
| to time be revised and corrected, and become an
instructive and useful guide in assisting those who
raise poultry for exhibitions or pure breeds for any
purposes for discaruing worthless faulty fowls
for the purposes of breeding and using only those of
| standard merit. 1t will also serve as a wholesome
check upon those who, through ignorance malice,
disposed to sell defective birds for the purposes
| of breeding, and guide to those buying breeding
stock, TO know when they are honestly dealt with
| or when swindled, and thereby saving time and
| money by starting with good stock. 1t will also
render the duties of judges of our exhibitions much
| less difficult and arduous.
| The schedule of prizes, offered by the club this
year, mas required a very considerable amount of
labor IN its compilation and adopted, alter mature
deliberatIon with some mi igIYngs to its success
| it is more elaborate and in advance of any yet
adopted by any club in this country, giving the
hibitlOn new and more refined appearance dis.
tribuhng the prizes to more competitors, and rend-
erlng the awards of the Judges more impartial and
satisfactory, rendering the pens of birds more at
| tractIve and less crowded; and with the general
satisfaction expressed by its adoption, believe it
| will be used in future exhibitions, and, to a
great extent, by the exhibitions of other poultry
| associations.
In the English exhibitions of poultry, the ladies
| take prominent part and in some classes the
| successful competitors, often carrying the first
| prizes and cups; and when we know what they do
IN other countries, we naturally inquire, where are
the American ladies; echo will have to answer for
| the present. But may not hope and expect TO
| welcome them as exhibitors and competitors for
our prizes IN the intelligent and refined culture Of
poultry, well knowing their natural and ntuitIve
of beauty is superior to own; and in these
DAYS of women's rights, we hope they will maintain
| them in the right direction, where no legal OBJ
stacles exist.
Your exhibitions have required great amount of
| time, OF thought and labor, to show poultry, Of
| been shown this season. In many classes the con
trlbut1ons larger than before, and ex-
/ the breeds held in the highest estimation.
Gentlemen: Believing that rotation in office is
best calculated to promote the best interests of the
club, and that fresh officer will add to the devel-
| opment and usefulness of our organization, and,
highly as appreciate the honor OF presiding over
your deliberations for the past five years, and fiat
gard l nevertheless wish it to be explicitly UNDER
stood that decline being a candidate for reelec-
lon, but not rellnquishing my best wishes and eff
forts for the continued success OF our ganizaton.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Hadwen's remarks,
Mr. John Giles of Woodstock, Conn.,. was called
upon. After complimenting the society upon
the success Iof its exhibition he spoke at
length upon the different varieties of fowls,
| drawing largely from his own experience to
corroborate his statements. A general discus
sion arose in regard to the best and most profit
able breeds, which was participated in by Mr.
| Clark of Hartford, member of the Connecticut
| association, Mr. Halstead of New York, publish
er Of the Poultry Bulletin, Mr.. Comey of Quin.
cy, from the Massachusetts, association, Mr..
Buzzell of Clinton, and Mr. A. D. Warren OF
this city. The good qualities of the grey Dor
kings light Brahmas, Hamburgs, Creve Occurs,
and black and red breasted games ,iwere fully cx-
planned by the different speakers.
Mr.. II. Woodward, the first president of the
society, spoke in a very interesting manner
| upon the good results of crossing breeds to pro
| duce poultry for market purposes saying that
there seemed to be no reason why the breeding
Of market fowls should not be as successful in
this country as in France and England if the
same time was devoted to the purpose.
All the speakers complimented the club on
the superior excellence Of its exhibition, and
expressed their best wishes for the future pros
perity Of the society.
The show to-day will be the best of the fair
and will be worthy the generous patronage OF
the public.
COUNTY NEWS.
|