The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-27
PonitrY shows.

Poultry shows.
T. X Feleh. OF Natlek. Mass. who VIII
act as Judge at the poultry show in Seat
tie next month, writes as follows for ths
American Poultry Journal: The methods
Of Judging eur fowls seem 70 DO the ALL
important subject at this time, and IL Is
vital one 10 the Industry. Comparison -
alleged 20 be the best but never in its
history is there the demand that iis use
flllaess shall have u benefit beyond tbs
mere awarding Of the money prizes at our
exhibitions The advocates OF that sys-
tenn and the Judges under il have work
before them that is no child's play. Their
work must De rs nearly perfect as the
standards by which they Judge, that each
specimen may be- accurately judged and
receive its just valuation in points. The
day Is passing when the mere money that
represents the first three prizes at any
exhibition win cut any important figure
beside the score value IN points the class
receives.
. Nine breeders oot OF ten sell the birds
that win. because they bring long price.
and the score card value OF the specimens
in the class becomes the means OF esti-
mating the relative value as compared
TO the one who Is favored with the blue
ribbon Oftentimes one-half Of per cent.
is all the difference there really is. Yet We
hear the comparison advocate say no
cares nothing for the score card. sim he
win crow over the prize he wins in tho
class awarded by the self-same judge who
ma kes tho score card values OK the sreel-
mems, and the very bird that WAS scored
TO be placed beside him. although the rec
ord card was suppressed,
In 1884 the Brahams were all scored at
Madison Square Garden ana the card sup
pressed Yet there was little II any criti-
cfsrf as 10 the intelligent placing or the
awards. Any breeder who Is willing his
birds shall take their true place win not
object TO the score card application OF the
Standard. None can deny that the score
card in the hands Of intelligent men gives
a standing and an additional value TO the
truly hrst-class specimens In our yards
This system opens tho way TO more Grill
cism OF the Judges than any other. for u
Is a record OF their work Any real mis-
take IN the work is disclosed by u where
many times Il would not be apparent In
work by the same Judge under the COMPARE
son system Hence Il IS important that our
vqork he well done. Judges are compelled
by Il 20 study harder. 10 read more and 70
work with greater care, in order that the
score card records may be as truthful as
II Is possible for human judgment TO make
them This Is true because the exhibitor
comes % the exhibitions for these records
rather than for the money offered on the
three winning specimens. Were all the AK
hihltioas 10 come down fat-footei TO COM
narison rules. the number OF entries would
fan of fully 80 per cent. No man would
pay entry fees beyond the very few neces-
sary 20 win the prizes. The local exhibi-
floss would dwindle away. None disputes
the fact that the American Poultry Asso-
cation was the outgrowth or the necessity
of demonstrating 20 the exhibitors the in
dividual value and the comparative diner-
ence between specimens.
our early exhibitions created much con-
fentfon as 20 which birds were the best:
for there was no law demanding specific
shape md color. A. the first exhibition he'd
under the score card systeHu all the speci-
mems were scored and by three Judges
the average scores OF the three determin-
ing the awards. There was no kicking
~ the awards. Al the next exhibition thew
scored only such birds "a they Thought
stood a chance 10 win. The subsequent
show fell off so badly In the number OK
entries that exhibition arrangements were
En- gree that all specimens not dis
qualified should be scored. The exsibi-
lions almost doubled in the number OF en-
tries This demand for a score card
which made all the difference then--stilt
exists and is OF still greater importance.
from tho fact that a better grade OF merit
is demanded 20 win. better specimens de-
mandea By the purchasing public for breed
ing purposes and this demands OF you. my
brother Judge. better work at your hands.
that your score card may have an A No.
! reputation.
The rivalry now Is TO be between the men
who are 10 act ne judges. Honest. constant
work Is what win win. IL Is folly for any
man 20 claim 10 DO a frst-cl8ss comparison
Judge who Is not first-class score card
tu@ge, or Vice versa. Let the best bird
win" In doing this you viii have enough
unjust criticism melted out to YOU 70 make
any sensitive man uncomfoft table. At times
you will suffer at tho hands OF Jealous and
unjust men: for there is so much OF the
spirit that ownership makes swans out or
birds that were ducks in other mems hands.
Some men are never satisfied unless they
secure mors than r. their Tightful due.
The man who Is 10 award tho prices can
have no hobbies There IA just one place
for him 10 learn what the shape and what
the color Of A specimen Is and that 10 ths
Standard. He cannot learn IL by studying
any special breeders fiocks. The stand
ard says the neck hack and legs OF a
IAght Brahma are medium in length. but
You. a. a breeder. Ike all Of these short
That does not relieve you from the duty
Of cutting these sections II they are snort.
A n Judge. bear In mind your score
card scores your intelligence while yoi airs
recording the defects OF the specimens
II you are criticised you have only your
score card ~ which - defend your 5udg-
DseRt and act.
A gentleman told me this week that in
,hree years ali the shows would be Judged
by eomparlaon system. l assured him
{hat the present season would hava more
shows BY comparisons than would ever
again be held. and that. should hls pre-
dietion ever become verified, those shows
would not contain one-haif they DO row In
the number OF the specimens undsF tho
score card rules. The moment comparison
haenFes the rule our standards will com
rnaucs 20 become obsolete and imperative.
FOR com partson men follow their personal
preferences. with no thought OF the stan
dard. for there Is nothing 10 force It's pro-
Visions unoa them How many men now
working hv comparison that do not read
the standard az all and how few average
10 read the standard through once q year
10 refresh their memory.
To the members ~ the J. 3. 8. G. A hu-
reau ~ Judges I say; Study the standard;
get your conceptions OF what IS correct
fv n thorough knowledge Of IL IL you can
repeat it, ~ much the better. Apply IL 20
the birds of the different breeds. rot by
warning ~ - meet this demands OF any
one breeders stock. when all do this ~
vvliE begin 20 see The effect % our standard
upon the breeds. There VIII then be less
clannnrfng for change ia the standard BY
breeders whose birds are not in harmony
with g. Then will they work with ease 20
have our standard fixed, ane Il will then
become matter az pride That ones stock
averages high in thelr score card records
as a class.