PRIZE TABLE POULTRY IN ENGLAND.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 240, 4 February 1888, Page 8

PRIZE TABLE POULTRY IN ENGLAND.

The following report on the table poultry exhibited at the Crystal Palace Poultry Show, held in November last, is by Mr Tegetmeier, and published in the Field :— The table fowls at the Crystal Palace Show, as distinguished from the special classes for trnaraental and other birds, constituted two classoa, one for pure breeds, the other for cross-bred birds, both to be judged purely for economic considerations. Each pen contained a couple of birdvthat might be either of one or of different sexes. Capons were excluded. This arrangement is hardly to be regarded as satisfactory, as it is not easy to compare accurately the merits of birdß so arranged, and, moreover, from a table point of view, pullets have a great advantage over cockerels. In the class for pure breeds, Dorkings only wereexhibited, which is rather to be regretted, as, although they are undeniably the first table fowl in this country, it is not desirable that the English producer should regard them as of unrivalled excellence. I was pleased to see a good pair of white Dorking* which held their own, and got into the honour list, taking second prize, the firsfc going to a good pair of coloured pullets* and the third to coloured cockerels. The cross-bred class was very interesting ; as to the manner in which the birds were bred I cannot say much, as I am writing from verbal information, not having seen a catalogue. The first prize went to almost the finest pair of table fowls I have seen in England ; they were large in size, good in quality, extraordinarily meaty in the breasts, small in bone, and close in feather. I was informed, after I had concluded my awards, that they were the produce of an Indian Game hen mated with a Dorking cock. It may be in the recollection of some of my readers that, as the result of a longseries of experiments I preformed some years since, I have consistently recommended large Game hens (not hens of the new giraffe breed, standing twelve lnchei off the ground, that we have seen in the recent shows), either English or Indian, to bo mated with Dorking cocks, for producing the best, hardiest, and most meaty birds that could be desired. The second prize went to a very solid couple of cockerels, rather wild, but tight in feather, and extremely t)lump. I confess their breedingrather puzzled me, for no information was vouchsafed in the judginsr book. I afterwards heard they were cross-bred Azeels (the Indian fiehting breed) and Dorking. I should have liked to invite them to dinner and to make their acquaintance. The third prize was awarded to pullets, ohviously crossed Dorking and Cochin or Brahma, very large birds, well adapted for family use, and immeasurably puperior to what the Asiatic breed is in its pure form. The birds at the Palace were not killed, and, as they were mostly priced at much higher than their eating value, I had no> opportunity of practically testing the value of my awards.