The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-14


mems. meet in open competition in a
hundred exhibition halls. Every ex
hibitor earnestly desires to win the
blue" the emblem of superiority. Many
of them resort to extraordinary means
to accomplish this. some of which are
outlined in the accompanying article
by Professor Stoneburn.
The amateur exhibitor will secure
much helpful information and the
casual visitor to the poultry show will
secure fuller appreciation of these
events from reading this contribution.
BY PROF. FREDERIC II. sTONEBURN
" HE modern poultry show far sur
passes anything dreamed of by
l. that little group of poultrymen
who staged the pioneer exhibition of
fowls in the city of Boston in 1S4s. At
that time the "oultry fever" was just
beginning to develop and the press gave
great encouragement to the show idea
1t is reported that many visitors at
tended the exhibition and that one pair
of fowls actually sold for $13, an as
tonishing price at that time, but In
significant as compared with present
day figures, which frequently reach a
hundred dollars or more for single
speciments.
At present great number of these
shows are held each year in America,
varying in size, Importance and popular
esteem. The larger exhibitions are
naturally held in the great cities. as
Boston, New York, Philadelphia and
Chicago. The number of individual birds
entered in these great shows runs into
the thousands and the value of the reg
ular and special prizes, cash. cups and
medals amounts to a very large sum.
They are held In the largest available
buildings. which are often filled to their
utmost capacity, and their successful
management calls for the services of
large corps of experienced men, includ-
ing the show officials, judges and at
tendants.
The Astonished Visitor
The casual visitor to one of these
leading shows, one having no knowl-
edge of poultry aside from the fact
that fresh eggs and tender chickens
make mighty good eating, is invariably
astonished by its size, the number and
great variety of birds on exhibition and
the enthusiasm displayed by the vari-
Gus exhibitors themselves. He finds men
and women from every conceivable
walk in life earnestly discussing the
perfections and imperfections of their
pets. He sees orders for stock and
eggs booked at long prices. He learns
of the hundred and one lines of busi-
ness which depend entirely upon the
poultryman for support. And he real
ICES that this American poultry indus
try is of tremendous Importance, even
though the shows cater largely to a
single side of the business, the fancy.
If he escapes without at least mild
attack of this poultry fever, he is proof
against anything.
1t has been we'll said that these mod
ern poultry shows combine sporting
educational and commercial features
The true-blue fancier enters the game
for the fun he may secure He cares
more for the personal satisfaction of
winning over other breeders than he
does for the money value of the prizes.
Such men frequently declare that they
would rather win $40 trophy cup, the
emblem of their skill as breeders, than
. $40 cash prize.
The educational value lies in the
bringing together for public inspection
the best specimens of the scores of
recognized breeds and varities of do
mestic poultry.
The commercial side appeals to the
person who has eggs and stock or poul-
try supplies for sale. The poultry show
affords display room where such
NAV exhibit their wares to the thou
Interested
tend it.
1t has long been recognized that a
record OF winnings at important shows
is absolutely essential to any one hop
ing to build up a trade in stock of ex-
hibition quality. Claims of high quail
ty must be substantiated before scep-
tical public will regard them seriously
The best way to make good Is to win
prizes under a competent judge in open
competition with other breeders, thus
establishing a public record.
The advertising value of first prize
in any of the popular varities at one of
these large exhibitions is hard to esti-
mate. But the professional fancier SIM
ply must win in order to gain or hold
the prestige SO necessary to his success
This explains why these men exert
every effort to have their birds placed
under ribbons"
But to return to our uniformed yisi
tor. He will soon learn that the birds
to a definite classification, and that
they are judged according to a recog
nized standard That the cocks. old
males cockerels, young males hens, old
females, pullets, young females, and
pens, male and four femals, compete
in separate classes. That there are spe-
cialty judges of the different breeds,
men who can readily decide the rela-
tive merit of the various birds in each
class, and place the awards to the sat
isfaction of the majority of the exhib-
itors.
This system is the result of the work
of the national organization of poultry
men, the American Poultry association
During many years of constructive
work this organization has perfected a
complete standard for all breeds and
varities of poultry, which is published
under the title standard of Perfection"
In this shape and color characteristics
of males and females OF each breed and
variety are minutely described, and as all
breeders of thoroughbred fowls use this
as their breeding guide, very general
Uniformity has been secured In such
stock.
OF course. the above refers to So
called fancy or exhibition stock, the
quality of which is determined by the
external characteristics--shap anu
Homo 0u,O 0uuDOn,