POULTRY NOTES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3106, 9 June 1917, Page 13

POULTRY NOTES

(Br Chanticleer.) Success of the Jubilee Show at Christchurch. . In 1868, tho year of the first Christchurch poultry show, the city had scarcely lost any of its liativo surroundings Few of its streets wcro formed, and where much of the city stands to-daj scrub and iiax abounded. Evidences of Nature in ingenuity were to be seen on every hand, while tho piouoers planned, and worked to bring tho town into a city on modern lines. One can pictme the enthusiasm of those early ftmcieib. Manv of them had brought a trio from the Homeland, others had imported. Tho spirit of brotherhood abounded, bettings and young stock were eagerly exchanged, and iho growing numbor ot birds suggested the holding of the lirst poultry show. There were no disconcerting egg-laying competitions m those days. Birds were not judged then according to the value of their egg-produc-ing qualities. They stood for their nearness of approach to tho standard- Pino feathers wero the charm, and nobly the art of breeding was intensified until the fanciers numbered sufiicieut to start their show. It was on August 1, ISGB, these pioneers mot in the Town Hall to form tho Christchurch Poultry Club, which has held shows uninterruptedly sinco that dato. Mr. .T. E. Davies was elected secretary, nnd Mr. G. A. Reado treasuror. It was decided that tho birds bo exhibited in trios, and to consist of ono cock and two hens. Each exhibitor had to provide his own pen, and it is easy to imagmo what a variety would meet the eye of the visitor as ho entered tho show pen. Thev did not commit themselves to too much risk. Thev held a one-day show. It was opened at 11 o'clock m the morning, and closed sharp at 5 o'clock, so as the birds could bo taken home, guarded from a chill, and their night's rest not be broken. The entries of the first show totalled 163, and represented 62 exhibitors. Tho largest classes were Dorkings, ten. This breed has almost gone out of date, though occasionally we seo specimens of them on farms, where they are kept for their table qualities. Quito a number were, unearthed, and were on view at the -Jubilee Show. Black-Red Game, 16; Single Game Cocks, of any variety, 1; Buff Cochins; 11. This breed lias almost disappeared. Owing to their broody instinct they have been classed nmong the unwanteds. Aylesbury Ducks, 12. The Runner Duck was unknown in thoso days. Pigeon, canaries, and rabbits holped to swell the Show number up to 163. Eight years later the Show had grown in numbers, and in 1876 the entries were 267. Game, Dorkings, Bralunas, and bantams were still to the front. This show was the first two days' show held. The club grew stronger each year, and in 1883 the number of entries had increased to 481. In 1890 tho entries increased to 813, and hero wo find many of tho modern day varieties coming into favour. Game still held the record with 61 entries, Brahmas 30, but Barred Rocks 33, Leghorns 37, Minorcas 19, Silver Wyandottes 14, and Langshans 34, showing how the now varieties wero coming to tho front. As late as 1896 tho old breeds, Dorkings, Cochins, and Brahmas still figured prominently. This show totalled 940 entries. 11l 1906 the entries had increased to 1655, which was a record for tho Dominion. Tho Jubilee Show, with 2200 entries, eclipses anything over held in New Zea land, and wo question if any of the Australian shows have had an equal number of entries in their poultry sections? It was a happy thought when over a year ago tho committee decided to hold a monster jubileo show. Provision was mado for entries of all the old varieties, Dorkings, Brahmas, Faverelles, Cochins, etc., and many a modern-day poultryman gazed on tho exhibits at Jubileo Show for tho first timo. The classes were remarkably well filled in these old varieties, and it was certainly a pleasing feature of tho show to gaze upon these old breeds, and conjure in the mind what hopes and joys they raised in the hearts of the fanciers of fifty years ago. Tha Sun Poultry Book. Over threo hundred copies of the Snu Poultry Book have boon sold in Christchurch this week. This handy little volume containing tho utility standards for New Zealand, is having a most popular reception. It hns practical advise for the beginner, tho poultry producer, the farmer, and the fancier. Tho book is advertised in another column, and may bo had for Is. 9d. in stamps to Box 588, Christchurch.