Page:A veteran naturalist - being the life and work of W.B. Tegetmeier (IA veterannaturalis00richuoft).pdf/19

INTRODUCTION his work, to show the unflinching courage and honesty of the man. He began his career as a judge of the poultry classes at agricultural shows in the 'fifties, when the moral standard of exhibitors was very different from that prevailing now. Improving" birds, to use the misnomer in vogue, was rife; and these doings were tacitly ignored by the judges of those days. The honest exhibitor who refrained from "improving" on nature, had no chance; and Tegetmeier made it his aim to bring about a better state of affairs.

He had an uphill task before him; dishonest exhibitors were of course his enemies from the outset, and he obtained small assistance, at first, from the officials, who feared empty benches as a result of his methods. But Tegetmeier was never to be moved by discouragement or open hostility; he never shirked a fight, and he carried it on single-handed until he won. He was bound to win, and he knew it as well as his opponents : his principles courted the light of day, whereas their practices shunned it. He made good use of the power his position on the Field gave him in these matters, and helped to make the great reputation of that journal, as well as his own.

His practical good sense and exhaustive knowledge of poultry made him an invaluable colleague when there was work to be done in this department, as I had reason to know when I was engaged in promoting shows of table