Dabblers II
(Internet Published) Mar 2001
Sam Billingham, a legend in his lifetime, was known for his Blues and
Blacks. As from the 1930's his birds were introduced into the breeding stock
of several other Sheffield men and became part of the so-called Sheffield
type of Tipplers. On occasions however, Sam flew a few experimental
specimens of other colours. I think that it was in 1938 when Sam was seen to
be training a few Light Prints, most likely of the Macclesfield type. Then,
as suddenly as they appeared, they disappeared without trace. This is how it
was with Sam and he was extremely economical with his explanations and
advice. Well, most men were in those days but nowadays it is the Golden Age
of advice where almost every Tom, Dick and Harry is dishing it out. Not that
anybody takes notice!
It is remarkable how a new issue of Pigeons seems to do well for a short
time. It is a case of the proverbial new brush that sweeps clean. However,
these initial successes are rather short lived and the new issue simply does
not withstand the strain of use over a long period. Neither does it produce
anything worthwhile. This is why Sam and other veterans would never lose
hold of their original stock in favour of a new issue.
Some of the experimental crosses were a disaster. Many very good working
strains were ruined by men who wanted to introduce some colour into their
Common Blues, or Blacks, etc. They easily got the splash of colour but lost
out on the working abilities. A few such men got rid of the originals in
order to make room for other strains, and then found out their mistake but
couldn't recover what they had given away.
It is also a fact that a strain that is doing well in the hands of one
fancier in a given location may fail in the hands of another fancier. In my
time I have known men who just couldn't get along with the Gordon Hughes
type or any of the Sheffield types. I think that there is probably some
difference in management or terrain. Britain is far too small for a vast
differences in climate from one area to another, nothing like the difference
between Ireland and Nevada, for example. In fact some Tipplers relocated
only 5 miles away were known to fail miserably. But on some occasions did
much better in a new location just a short distance away, at least for a
short time.
I conclude therefore that we must be very careful not to jump in with both
feet. We must always be able to retreat and revert to the originals. Any
good mechanic will tell you that if something is working very well -don't
repair it!