The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1917-08-23

and number of pods.
"The cereals for a grain exhibit
I in the straw should be cut when near
ly ripe Cereals should be selected
that have good color. stiff straw and
well filled heads. In wheat and bar
ley empty glumes at the base of the
head are Objectionable. All plants
should be free from rust and smut
Cereal and legume grains are
usually exhibited in peck to bushel
lots. The exhibit should be entirely
free from foreign material and crack
ed or unsound berries. Particular at
tention should be given to securing
uniformly plump, large grains of a
clear bright color.
Groom Poultry Well
"In a large measure. success in
exhibiting poultry depends upon the
condition of the specimens at the
time they are exhibited. The plumage
of a bird is at its best for only very
brief period after completing its
growth. Birds which are intended
for show should be carefully housed
and given special attention for at
least six weeks before exhibiting.
Artificial methods of conditioning
poultry for exhibition are of two dis
tinct classes legitimate and illegit-
innate.
Legitimate conditioning includes
such things as the exhibitors must do
in order to have the birds in the best
natural condition when shown. 1t is
proper for a poultry keeper to re-
move dead and broken feathers SO
that new ones may grow before the
bird is shown, to feed to promote
wash the bird to remove dirt.
"Illegitimate methods include such
as performing surgical operations to
remedy defects of head parts. remov-
ing feathers from shanks where such
feathers are a disqualification, STAIN
ing feathers and legs and bleaching
white plumage with chemicals.
Cleaning the feet and legs to re-
move dirt in the wrinkles of the skin
and under the edges of the scales is
necessary. The parts should be wash
ed thoroughly with soap and warm
water. After washing, any dirt show
ing under the edge of the scales may
be removed with a wooden tooth
pick. Washing white birds is now
so universally practiced that it is
useless to put unwashed white speci-
mems in any of the larger shows. An
exhibitor who has had no experience
in washing birds should begin some
time before the show to practice on
Gull specimens and become thorough
" familiar with the work before
attempting to wash a show bird.
The washing should be done in
warm room. At least three tubs are
required. The bird should first be
thoroughly soaped with lather in
tub of warm water, then rinsed in a
tub of lukewarm water, then in one
of cold water The rinsing must re-
move every trace of soap. The bird
should be dried in warm room in
clean coop with clean straw in the
bottom. The washing should be done
only long enough before the show to
allow the birds to become thoroughly
dry.
"Pullets should not be crowded in
growth so as TO begin laying before
time of exhl-.,Ing. The pullet has
fine glossy plumage and is in the
best condition for exhibiting just
as she comes to the period of egg
production.
Breeders of pure bred poultry
should secure a copy of the Ameri-
can Standard of Perfection. which
gives a detail description of all var
ieties of pure bred fowls. 1t also
describes the serious defects and dis
qualifications in such a way that
the amateur may be fairly sure Of the
quality of his stock before entering
them at exhibitions. a copy of the
standard of Perfection may be ob-
tanned from poultry supply dealers
or from poultry journal publishing
houses.
Livestock and Horses
"Often live stock are taken to the
small fairs just in field condition
without any conditioning or trim
ming. Such stock has little chance
in competition with fitted animals OF
equal merit.
1T is not profitable or practical to
show animals out OF condition OF
animals that are lame, unsound OF
in any way seriously defective. Be
sides having no chance to win prizes
in competition. they will prove
moor advertisement for the owner