Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-10-15
BRATTLEBoRo's POULTRY SHOW
The Veteran Judge, I. u. FeIeh, Makes
some Suggestions as to improvements.

|. X. Felch, the veteran judge, praises
the Valley Fair and at the same time
makes some criticisms and suggestions in
two column article in the Cultivator and
Country Gentleman. He says that in II
years he has seen the show of poultry grow
from las to over 1900 specimens. He
thinks the premiums on poultry at the
fair too low in comparison with those on
cattle and other stock. The influence Of
the low premiums is TO make the exhibit
local, to secure many birds that are not OF
a high standard, and to destroy the APP
pearance of some Of merit ~ having them
in small, unattractive coops He SAYS:
"When societies pay premiums for the
fowl department commensurate with their
money earning power, as compared to
cattle, then can they demand that none
but worthy specimens, worthily cooped,
shall 90 on exhibition.
Let our agricultural arrangements make
no more classes of fowls. than they can
afford to pay; one each-cock, hen, cock
erel and pullet-S3 for a first prize, - for
a second, with V. II. c., II. c. and c.,
showing the three entries which come next
to the money; with 81 foi the first breed
ing pen, 50 to second, and 81 to the third,
and not allow pens 10 compete in prizes
for single birds. Select the ten or more
Of the best breeds for their locality, with
prizes of 81 and 80 cents in the Bantam
classes. Increase the number of breeds as
the years advance. and a disposition to
show creditable exhibits in other varieties.
This last may be determined easily by
making class for any other variety, which
would admit any breed not named in the
regular list, having one set of prizes TO
match the prizes above.
"If this course were taken, it would
have an influence to improve the stock
more in the next five years than has been
accomplished in the last 20; and we might
see our farms inhabited with clean flocks
of'thoroughbred fowls, where now we see
, only the mongrels and mixed races. OF all
men who should control the poultry Gull
ture OF America, the farmer should be the
prince 10 poultry culture"
MI Felch recognizes the great improve
ment which has been made in many classes
al the Valley Fair, and speaks of the spe-
cial features. In closing he says Eight
cen hundred specimens is large exhibit !;
the question is how to make every entry
first class. There is just one way-by of
fering such prizes that the breeders can
afford TO make suitable coops to show their
cease showing poor specimens when they
find they cannot win. First class breed.
ers will not voluntarily show their stock for
poor prizes and in a poor, ill-lighted poul-
try house.
What the Brattleboro society needs /:
to split their present house from end tc
end, and spread it - feet; put in uprights,
three feet, for a story of glass from end &c
end-that making the centre roof three
| feet higher TO eaves-thus securing light,
chance to ventilate and getting the room
they need. They needed all that much
room the present year. Their exhibition
has steady growth in numbers and merit
With their exhibit Of waterfowl outside
such improvement in their present quar-.
tiers will prove sufficient they raise tn,
premiums to kill the FOUNDERS trash anC
supplant it with fowls of excellence"