The Delaware farm and home. (Wilmington, Del.) 1885-19??, 1893-12-14
POULTRY sHows


An increased and widespn@saA I'LL
In well bred poultry is atteS 14a I'M xEas
frequency and importanceg MI 4
shows north, south, east MI II n
merly. poultry was gruds
restricted space at the aga
and regarded as second rsas
The last New York show, #tft|
one estimate, was attended by II .opN
sons; the aggregate sales amouns8d
$4,000 and the premiums to So, 1893 in
general prizes and 81 800 in special prizes.
These poultry exhibitions are decidedly
instructive to an observant attendant,
for here are congregated the finest types
of the standard breeds, as we'll as rare
and curious birds that delight the fancier
Here, too, is ample opportunity for not
ing the comparative merits of incubators
and breeders and learning many nice
points in the successful management CT
the same. Lncubators, by the way, may
now be selected just as one would choose
a sewing machine or any other nipple
ment the usefulness of which has gained
universal recognition. The incubators
manufactured by trustworthy makers
and handled by well known firms are all
good 1t remains for each buyer after
comparing the mechanical construction,
etc., to decide which is best from his
standpoint.
The different breeds exhibited at tie
poultry shows during the past season af-
ford food fcr reflection. Some breeds
show Improvement, while others show
deterioration Here is summary of the
subject as presented by The Fanciers'
Journal:
Probably the greatest disappointment
to true fancier is the poor quality and
small entries of white faced black Span.
ish seen at our shows The breed is one
Of the oldest. handsomest and best in the
poultry world and deserves better sup.
port. The beautiful race of Polish fowls
is being neglected. Rarely do we see
full entries at the winter shows. The
golden penciled Hamburgs. probably the
handsomest of all domestic fowls, are be-
ing carelessly handled and show signs of
deteriorating.
Leghorns have held their own, espe-
cially the brown variety. The white
Leghorns are equally fine in points, but
1t seems to MS that little more size
would be desirable. The buff Leghorns
have improved wonderfully and now
rank among our standard fowls.
Silver Wyandottes have improved;
golden need looking after; white are as
goaa.as, ever, while the buff Wyandottes
-premiSe~SJ lad the entire fsfigily in. pop
ularity, being handsome .tnd practical
fowl. Plymouth Rocks are Still extreme
" popular. The white variety is well
preserved. The new buff Plymouth
Rocks promise we'll.
Buff Cochins show wonderful improve
oent, and the magnificent entry of 240
birds at New York will long be remem-
bered Indian games need attention.
Breeders are drifting away from the
original type and paying too much atten.
ton to color in males instead of seeking
true form or shape.
Of the French breeds the good and use
full old Houdan is again looming up. The
La Fleche is still confined to too few
breeders 1t is one of the best of table
fowls. also prolific layer of large white
eggs. Crevec9urs are occasionally seen.
but not as often as their merit deserves
Dorkings barely hold their own, while
Red Caps seem to have dropped almost
entirely. Both are breeds of surprising
excellence from practical standpoint.
The Java fowl will soon become extinct,
unless more attention is paid to its good
points. Games are again becoming pop
ular. This is due to the efforts of the
Game club and fanciers