The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-12-04
MODERN FRUIT PACKING N VIRGINIA ORCHARDS.
POULTRY SHOWS
AREEDUCAT|0NAL
Influence That Is Good-Looks
to Better Products and
More Of Them.
BY WALTER c. scHAAF.

The main object Of poultry associa-
lions is the holding of yearly shows
or exhibitions. which brings together
all of the breeders of thoroughbred
poultry, ducks, geese, pigeons. etc. or
course. the associations have their
monthly, or maybe weekly. meetings.
at which subjects of interest are dis.
cussed, but the show Is the one great
feature to which every member looks
forward with the idea of eclipsing his
bons won, or II a true fancier to try
to improve in the quality Of birds he
puts In the show room.
Educational Value.
The greatest value OF well con-
Quoted poultry show is its educational
features. 1t more clearly demonstrates
the superiority of pure-bloodeG' stock
over the mongrel than any other
method l know Of BY comparison. the
ordinary barnyard fowl has no place
alongside of standard specimen. The
sight of the latter stimulates the VS.
itor to the possession of good stock.
Suppose number Of people did show
barnyard fowls, would they repeat the
ly. The chances are these same people
would be in line the following year
with thoroughbreds as good as they
saw the previous year. There are lots
of poultry folks who argue the shows
are only for the benefit of the breeders
or fanciers who have birds they wish
to sell at long prices. Let us see. As
business proposition the average
poultry exhibition has but little to
commend it. Usually its promoters
have to make up the deficiency. as a
poultry show is not dividend paying
proposition. Invariably the promoter.
are fanciers, or at any rate that por.
ton of them who love the bird and
wish to help the fancy end along. Then.
it's usually the men who do the most
of the work that usually give the
most of the prizes. such as silver cups
and other valuable special prizes. Sup
posing a few breeders occasionally re-
ceive $50. or even 500. forsan unusual
lly fine specimen in the show room. This
does not make 1t show for the benefit
of that particular breeder. On the con-
trary, the more OF these sales that
are made the better for the poultry in
dustry in general.
Stimulating Buyers.
The buyer of high-priced bird
takes him home. puts him on his yards,
Hills ncighbors see him: natural result
ltleS AMdul p3pSlNSI. foSc lNc
point? a kind of chain OF wants link
ing into one another, and each link
means prospective purchaser of some
breeder Of thoroughbreds. Not neces-
sarily the same breed in the different
cases. Each one determines to get a
better male and build up his flock to
higher standard, / have people
often ask me W hat is! a thoroughbred?
Might as we'll ask a breeder ot fne
horses or cattle the same question,
Have you never passed somebody's
yard and seen some nice specimen Of
fowl. spontaneously exclniming. Amt
iii q beanlysN a Thoroughbred is an
hanimal bred as near to perfection as
i possible, pleasing to tho eye a far AS
looks go and with the Qualities at
Reproduction bred from generation to
generation, Watch a fine rooster
stepping along as though he were
/ Continued pm Second Page.l