Los Angeles herald., 1907-02-03

mense proportions that the number
and ardor of fanciers have increased in like pro-
portion. All eager to breed or secure that al
most perfect show specimen which will
for its lucky owner hundreds of prizes
Thus, owing to the keenness of competition, the
value of trfng merits is enormously enhanced,
and it may happen that an unusually fine sickle
feather in the tail of show cockerel may add
fifty dollars more to the birds worth.
Not very long ago small fortune-that is a
sum in the neighborhood of several thousand dol.
lars-was given by an enthusiastic fancier for
partridge wyandotte cockerel. When it is re-
membered that such bird was in all probability
hatched and reared at a cost of a few dollars, not
excluding the price of the egg, it will be seen that
the lucky poultry keeper had reason to congratu-
late himself.
1t is no uncommon thing for several hundred
dollars to change hands over an extra fine fowl
and good birds even at that price, more often
than not prove source of income to their own.
er, since they may win prizes all over the coun
try. In addition to this their eggs have consd
cradle commercial value.
Not unnaturaly, many poultry exhibitors have
at their finger ends certain tricks Of the trade.
1t is possible, unhappily, to improve the show
worth of a fowl considerably by taking The
art of the fakir is indeed clever one. Many a
handsome buff fowl has owed its grand appear
ance and collection of first prizes and silver cups
to the cunning application of anilinc dye.
Other birds have had objectionable pumage
pulled out, and even superior feathers neatly in
serted by means of false quills and slender waxed
IN C aI eb
committee, it was found tina ia splendid black
rose-comb cock proudly bore a magnificent comb
which not its own! 1t was discovered that
the birds own comb had been shaved off and a
perfect comb, sliced from an otherwise inferior
bird, neatly grated on The offending exhibitor
was, of course, instantly disqualified for his in
genious cruelty
Since show poultry may prove such mines of
wealth to their owners, it follows that the utmost
care is taken to preserve their beauty Their
food is chosen with the care that would be given
to that of a young child, and they are never per
mtted out of doors in rough winds or rain Be
fore going to a show they are groomed with all
the thorougmess that is bestowed ON a famous
racehorse, and often an intricate method of pre-.
iaration has been followed for weeks beforehand
Their faces are sponged daily with milk and dust.
ed with violet powder, their combs are wiped
with the hnesi sweet OH and vinegar, and the
chemist is called upon to compound a good iron
tonic for their daily deectation
In the course OF show season several hundred
exhibitions take place, and the prize money offer.
ed runs into thousands of pounds. In addition,
gold, silver and bronze medals, cups galore, and
many other prizes are offered, The pride and
joy Of an exhibitor who breeds an unusually good
specimen may, therefore, be easily imagined, Such
a fowl will almost certainly prove victorious at
every show and win first prizes, cups and medal.
wherever exhibited Moreover, tempting offer,
for its purchase will be made by brother fancers
The practice of exhibiting fowls has certainl,
resulted in many strange freaks, Perhaps the
most curious Of these is the fowl known as the
Yokohama, the tail Of which averages from fee
to feet in length, although in Japan, the nauy,
place of these monstrosites, specimens have beer
known with tails Is feet long.