ROYALTY AND RACING

Shannon News, 28 December 1923, Page 3

ROYALTY AND RACING

' Horse-racing has rightly been called the sport of kings, for it was founded in England by King James 1., and has .been supported by British lungs ever since that pleasure-loving monarch's reign in the 17lh century. It was said of King James that he sat "na better than a draff-pock in the saddle," which, when translated into English, is not exactly a compliment to the King's horsemanship; nevertheless, he frequently attended race meet ihgs at Croydon and Enflela, and loved the sport for its own sake. He was the real founder of horse-racing in England.- " The wisest fool in Christendom " purchased the Markham Arabian in 1616 for £154.. Since his time no British , monarch has discouraged the sport, but many kings have taken a leading part m supporting it. King George IV. was one of the best patrons of racing who ever lived, and, when he was Prince Regent, visited Doucaster in ISOG. There he was an object of great interest to the country people. The Price Regent had a cold, and the Royal party was showing itself from the balcony of its lodgings when on old Yorkshire woman exclaimed, "Which —which is the Prince ? I must see the Prince ! " "That's him," said a bystander, pointing upwards, "him with the handkerchief in his hand." "H-im ! " cried.the old lady in profound contempt. " That the Prince ? Why, he blows his own nose ! "

No less enthusiastic than the Prince himself, was the Prince's cook, Weltje,. a fat, important-looking personage, \vho-Avas often to be seen at the meetings at Ascot and Egham, in the wake ol' Royalty. Holding tho position of chief cook, .clerk of the kitchen, and purveyor to Carlton House, he had tho means of gratifying his tastes for laying wagers on cocks, dice, horses and prize-fighters. His pride was the cause of his fall. He caused much trouble because his daughter married, against his Avishes, a good-looking young cook one of h-ie subordinates in the Carlton House lutehen. Weltje persistently urged the dismissal of his sabordhiatt! until the Prince, who thought more of. his own soups and entrees than of Weltje's dignity ,put an end to the squabble that distracted the Royal Kit. chfit by discharging the chef and raising Ms son-in-law to his place. So passed one, Avho, if not a Poyal patron of pport, was cicsoly connected with Royal sporting activities. Royalty in late years has shown a very great interest in horse-racing, the late King Edward VII. Avas a most enthusiastic tribute, and his son, the present King, is also a keen follower of hofsc-racing. Judging by the great interest shown in the sport by the present Prince of Wales, racing will have every 'ight'to' the name of the sport of kings for many years to come.

dor that .the straw will be more nutritious and the chaff Ikitc what Is termed a bright colour/ Barlev, on the other band, should bo quite ripe before cutting if for malting, but for ordinary feeding purposes where colour and quality .are not so important, may be cut much earlier. Stooks should not be rrwulc larger than from eight to i/en sheaves in each, and should be firmly placed so that they do not go down with a little -wind. Alter being, up a couple of days I;hev are usually avoll set and stand quite v blow, hut it is wise to go through each field and again set up any stooks which may have gone down meantime, i J at!her than have damp .sheaves coming in to the stack Avhilst stacking.

same remarks regarding the careful building of hay apply equally to the building of .the sheaf stack. As a precaution against fireL.it U wise to plough a few furrows round the stack in fields where the stubble is iat all heavy, and in all cases whether hay or sheaves, stacks should be fenced 'and made secure from stock. CARE OF PASTURES. " Tn the average pasture, and more especially the young first year p.rnss ryegrass' may possibly be showing considerable seed head and like many other grasses at this stage is ahnot neglected by stock. It is a good plan to run the mower over such fields and harrow. This prevents the grass plants- fulfilling their mission (i.e. regeneration) and if done in time will encourage the pastures to remain green and .growing much loii£V>r, and harrowing breaks up any crust which may have formed, and assists to retain moisture.