Evening star., 1915-12-12
SHOWS ARE
AIDS TO THE INDUSTRY
BY MICHAEL K. BOYER.

show was held in America. The exhi-
bition was given in the American Mu-
scum in New York city, owned and op-
Grated by P. T. Barnum, the great
Snowman.
Twenty-nine judges were employed,
among whom were such men as the
late D. D. T. Moore and the late Luther
Tucker. An association was formed
under the title of the National Poultry
Society and p T. Barnum was elected
president. Among the list of vice pres
idents were Horace Greeley, Orange
Judd and George p. Burnham. A. B..
Allen was chosen recording secretary.
Association Organized in 1873.
History does not say how long this
national organization existed, but it is
presumed that it held up until about
1873, when, at a meeting in Buffalo, N.
y, the American Poultry Association
was organized.
The first American standard of excel
lence, now known as the American
standard of perfection, was adopted by
the American Poultry Association at
the meeting held January Is. 1874.
At the present day shows are held all
over the United States-in small towns
held that, no matter where poultrymen
reside, they have an opportunity to at
tend at least one of these exhibitions.
Combining Fancy and Utility.
There are two classes of poultrymen
the fanciers and the utility men,
The formers occupation is to perfect
the old and create new breeds. They
keep the breeds in their purity. =
1t is up to the utility man to i'm
prove the practical qualities. In other
words, the fancier gives US the breed
as it should be in size, in style, in SYM
metry The practical man then must,
by selection and breeding, bring out
the egg and meat qualities.
Now while the fancier and the poul-
try farmer are working along two dis
tinct lines it is important that they
get together" The former in making
or improving breeds, should keep in
mind the requirements of the latter
The latter, in turn, should make his
Improvement without sacrificing the
characteristics of the breed in hand.
Some years ago John Martin of Port
Dover, Canada, finding that there was
a demand for bred-to-lay stock, decided
to make use of the trap nest to get
the records of his best layers, and to
begin systematic work along this line.
In the second years work, he sue
ceeded in getting a wonderful record
from an exhibition pullet. She was
hatched in February and began
her first years laying she made
a splendid record of 241 eggs.
This female he named "Dorcas." and
decided to make use of her to build up
a flock of heavy layers. She had many
other qualities besides being good
layer. She had good exhibition quality.
splendid color, good shape, neat head
points and plenty of size.
The following season he mated her to
a fine, vigorous cockerel bred from
female with record of 205 eggs. This
cockerel also had fine exhibit in quail
Ity and was good enough to win in
keen competition. In building up this
twhat he called Dorcas) line he dis
fair exhibition quality, and naturally
his progress has been little slower
than it would have been if he had only
taken into account heavy egg pro-
duction.
The three qualifications he demanded
from the females used in his Dorcas
breeding pens were: % vigor and
stamina; (2) a good egg record; (3)
exhibition quality. The male birds
used to head these pens are also very
fine. sturdy. vigorous appearance, with
a record of high fertility back of them,
and bred from females with a record of
200 eggs or better. They must have
neat NedOS, GOOC eye ColOT, stay 7" mite
color. good bone and as good Wyan-
dotte type as possible.
Exhibiting Fowls Is Educational.
The poultry show is an educator
The beginner starting out with a GER
tain breed can here see where his stock
has weak points and wherein he is
strong. To the amateur in exhibitions
he has the benefit of the judge who is,
as a rule, capable instructor. The
beginners fowls fail to get prize. To
him the winners do not look bit bet
ter tnan his own. In excitement he
seeks the Judge to demand an explana-
ton. That official. used to the kicks
of men of little knowledge, calmly ex-
plains why the fowls were disqualified,
or shows wherein they are deficient
The lesson thus taught is a lasting
one.
Advisable to Specialize.
Breeding for exhibition, especially
after a reputation has been gained, is
very profitable. but not all men can be
fanciers. 1t is talent that must be
born into n man and nursed by good
common sense and wise judgment. To
gain prominence man should have a
speciality. Fame is never secured with
a half dozen breeds.
Copyright, 1850
WHOLESALE MARKET REPORT.