Cup and Goblet-Deciding Course.Mr. Chamberlain's Mundy beat Mr. Burgess's Bolivar, and won the Cup-Mr. Burgess the Goblet. Drayton Stakes-Second Class.-Mr. Umbers's Sweep beat Mr. Collins's Tartar; Mr. Chamberlain's Monk beat Mr. Wedge's Topper. Drayton Stakes-Deciding Course.Mr. W. Umbers's Sweep beat Mr. Chamberlain's Monk, and won the Stakes. Lindley Stakes-Deciding Course.Mr. W. Ümbers's Nettle beat Mr. Chamberlain's Lottery, and won the Stakes. Caldecote Stakes.-Mr. John Reeves's b. d. Spring beat Mr. Huskisson's b. b. Handy: Mr. Collins's y. and w. b. Hebe beat Mr. T. Umbers's b. and w. d. Fly. Caldecote Stakes-Deciding Course. Mr. Collins's Hebe beat Mr. Reeves's Spring, and won the Stakes. Matches. Mr. Taverner's Trip beat Mr. Ballard's Blossom; Mr. T. Carter's Fan beat Mr. Johnson's Comet; Mr. Ballard's Bashful beat Mr. W. Umbers's Spring: Mr. W. Umbers's Roscius beat Mr. Collins's Hero; Mr. Sharp's Rattler agst Mr.Chamberlain'sCanon-undecided; Mr. Craddock's Cleopatra beat Mr. Burgess's Bellona; Mr. Chamberlain's Won der beat Mr. Carter's Muslin; Mr. TaRocke; Mr. Huskisson's Hazard beat Mr. W. Umbers's Jasper; Mr. Johnson's Lady beat Mr. J. Carter's Bess; Mr. W. Umbers's Hector agst Mr. Huskisson's Spring undecided; Mr. T. Carter's Rocket beat Mr. Johnson's Topper; Mr. Sanders's Snipe beat Mr. T. Carter's Presto; Mr. John Reeves's Tinker beat Mr. Sanders's Bulow; Mr. Burgess's Beppo agst Mr. Taverner's Driver-undecided; Mr. Collins's Nimble beat Mr. Wedge's Nimrod; Mr. Craddock's Cleopatra beat Mr. Taverner's Spring; Mr. Wedge's Topper beat Mr. Barber's Randy. verner's Driver beat Mr. James Reeves's The weather being fine, and an abundance of hares, there was excellent sport, and the Meeting remarkably well attended. The VOL. XIX. N. S.-No. 111. concluding course for the Cup, between Bolivar and Mundy, was too short to admit of a trial. A match was made at the Meeting in November 1825, as a trial of blood of a litter of whelps, by Captain Lidderdale's Skyrocket, out of a black bitch of Mr. Chamberlain's, against a litter by Mr. Hassal's Bergami, out of Mr. Burgess's Speedy, which was decided in favour of the latter on the first day of this Meeting, by Bellona beating Swallow-Bellona being the only puppy in Mr. B.'s possession. CAUSES OF THE SCARCITY OF GAME-HINTS FOR ITS PRESERVATION AND DUTY OF GAMEKEEPEHS. SIR, Do not mean in this dissertation, or soliloquy (whichever you like), to enter into every reason for scarcity of game on unpreserved land at the present timethat subject having been more ably handled by NIMROD, and others, for me to raise anything worthy the sportsman's notice, by beating the exact same ground after such dead hands: but, although I have perused the remarks that have hitherto been offered on the subject in your interesting publication, one point, I think, still remains uncommented upon; and that is, the new invention of percussionguns. Admitting, for the sake of argument, that game was, the beginning of this season, as plentiful as ever it was in former days, how much more thinned it must be now, when only half the season is over, than it would have been at the close of any season some twenty years back-supposing both now and at that period only the really qualified and certificated men shot! And why is this? Because every sportsman now uses a percussiongun, and every sportsman kills some birds-some more, some less. He must, indeed, be a queer fowler who cannot hit a steady standing shot; and some of the chances at moor game and partridges, at the beginning of the season, are just the same as shooting at a mark with a double-barrel raisedrib percussion gun! Consequently it must be admitted, that a much greater quantity of game is killed now, by the same number of guns, than used to be with honest flint and steel. Anciently with match locks, our forefathers (I may say so, for mine have been qualified eight generations back) never thought of trying to kill a bird flying; and with large flint and steel guns you may find country bumpkins in remote fenny parts who never think of shooting flying. Next came the patent breech, which made the ignition quicker, and consequently easier to kill flying. Then, the lock was let in at the side of the breech (with great perfection by Jo. Manton), which made it still more easy to shoot flying. And, finally, came the detonator, by Forsyth, and the remainder of the modern various modes of percussion, which made it the easiest of all easy things for any blunderhead or lout to kill flying, and sweep away all the feathered tribe before him. I think a few hints to gentlemen who strictly preserve, and allow their gamekeepers to shoot, may be of use. The first that I shall suggest is, never to let their keeper have any other than a single-barrel flint and steel gun, as plain as possible, and of the old ori ginal construction; and for this reason: Every keeper ought to be a good shot; and in the distance he ought to travel every day, in inspecting the grounds and manors, a good shot with such a gun may kill sufficient for any one table, and there is no need for any keeper to kill more. It is well known that some of these gentry will occasionally do so; and either get a sly acquaintance (to whom the keeper's wife conveys them) to dispose of them to some neighbouring innkeeper, or the keeper himself, when out, contrives to be near the road when the coach passes, and hands the finest brace to the guard, leaving an odd bird or so for his master's table. Another advantage in allowing a keeper only a single gun is, that he will thus be obliged to look over so much more ground in the performance of his duty. These are the principal causes of the scarcity of game: and if a few other hints are attended to, we may still have abundance, as in the olden time. I would suggest that a good look-out be kept to ascertain what sort of dogs their te nants keep to collect the sheep with, and what sort of gun they keep to frighten the crows from the wheat, or to keep the blackbirds from the cherries. As to myself, if a farmer preserved his game on his land well, I should never scruple, after the end of September, to give leave for any friend of his to shoot, one day, partridges for him, which would be an encouragement he would be proud of. Next, I would never, on any account, allow any farmer to mow his grain upon an estate where the game is preserved, as game will not stay after the stubbles are mown, neither will they ever lie in those fields. The barrenness of the stubbles this season enables me to speak positively on this head. The difficulties in preserving game are also many. It is scarcely possible to preserve it in fields next a canal, from the constant traffic which is passing; and almost as difficult near the mail roads. The heavy-coach road is bad enough, but not quite so bad as the mail, inasmuch as the communication through the different heavy-coach offices is not so easy as the mail; and as the heavy coaches do not travel all night, the game by them is a night longer on the road, which in some instances, in hot weather, would be destruction. It is also difficult to preserve game where there are much-frequented bridle ways, or foot paths, through the estate. To conclude:-A keeper should be also thorough master of destroying those four-footed vermin that live upon game, such as weasels, &c., and hawks. He should never go over the grounds without having his little ground-terrier with him, and his mastiff or blood-hound for night protection. If in these observations one new hint should be given, by which the object I have in view be attained, it will amply repay the labours of, Sir, attractions, its spirited inhabitants have established annual races, which promis fairly for succeeding years to afford much sport to the lovers of the Turf. We have reason to regret that the munificent patronage of the inhabitants of Tiverton failed this year in attracting a greater number of horses. The course approaches in one place to the margin of the river Ex, and is distant only one mile from Tiverton. It was thronged on the 25th and 26th ult., being the days of the races, with beauty and fashion, which, together with the melodious notes of a band of music that paraded the race-ground, and the romantic scenery around, rendered the place delightfully enchanting. A Silver Cup, given by the Ladies, value 50gs. for Yeomanry horses, two-mile heats.-The winner to be sold for 50gs. if claimed. Mr. Selwood's blk. h. Orator Hunt, aged......... Mr. Burt's b. m. Redlock, aged...... 2 2 Mr. Bult's ch. h. Cottager, aged...... dis. The winner was claimed. A Purse of Sovereigns, for galloways not exceeding fourteen hands high, two-mile heats, was won cleverly by Mr. Stone's black mare Lady Sweate beating three others. An apology is due from us to this Correspondent, for so long delaying its insertion -the MS. having been mislaid. SECOND DAY. The Tradesmen's Silver Cup, value 70gs. for horses not thoroughbred, two-mile heats. Mr. Baillie's br. h. Naughty Tommy walked over the course. A Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, with 251. added from the funds, for horses not thorough-bred two-mile heats (Handicap)Gentlemen riders. Mr. Bayly's b. g. Small Hopes, inn (the Angel is certainly the most appropriate place for Angels). Mrs. Worth, being lady patroness, brought a greater number than usual into the ball room. The Sylph-like form of a female in the mazes of the dance is one of the finest sights I know of. A sumptuous dinner was given to the distinguished Sporting cha racters present by that never-fail3 1 1 ing patron of Sporting in all its branches, T. Hole, Esq. of Tiver ton, and concluded the diversions of the week. 1 2 2 3 Mr. Smith's blk. h. Orator Hunt, aged, 10st. 61b........ This was an excellent race: the mare jumped off at starting, and was not headed from first to last. In the second heat, a sheet would have covered the three horses throughout the two miles-Small Hopes winning by a neck. This was so severe a race, that the beaten horses could not come again, from sheer exhaustion. A Purse of Sovereigns, for galloways, was won by Mr. Selwood's Creeping Jane beating three others-rode in excellent style by the lad Punny, whose walking height is only 68lbs. A Pony race concluded the diversions of the day. The whole arrangements reflect the highest credit on the Steward, J. Worth, Esq. of Worth House. The delight and satisfaction his conduct and arrangements as a Steward gave to all, are a higher panegyric than if I was to occupy pape after page of the Sporting Magazine on the subject. The ordinaries were well attended. The race ball was at the Angel A liberal subscription has been entered into for next year, under the auspices of J. Chichester, Esq. of Calvarleigh House, the Steward elect. Fourteen have put down their names to the Calvarleigh Stakes of 5gs. each, for horses not thorough-bred-two-mile heatsKing's Plate weights. There will be a Gold Cup value 100gs. by subscription of 10gs. each, the surplus in specie, open to all horses, Cocktails receiving 14lbs., with other Plates and Stakes as usual*. Some person fabricated a story, and caused it to be printed in a provincial paper, that two distinguished young ladies, in the vici nity of Tiverton, rode a race around the Tiverton course on one of the racing days. I cannot refrain from advising the fabricator to bear in mind, that there is such a thing in the world as cudgel sauce; and by his referring to Shakspeare's Play of King Henry the Fifth, he will find an account of Fluellen administering it in its true meaning to Pistol, whilst the * From a List which another Correspondent has kindly sent us, we perceive that there are eleven Subscribers to the Worth Stakes on the first day; and that a match for 50 is also to be run the first day between Mr. Bayly's b. g. Small Hopes and Mr. Huntly's c. m. Landscape. On the second day there is to be the Tradesmen's Silver Cup, a Handicap for the beaten horses, and a Hurdle race for Hunters not thorough-breda four-feet rail to be extended across the course, and any horse breaking the rail to be distanced-Gentlemen riders. latter was eating his leek. Per haps his tale may be made more palatable by the same sort of sauce. I am, Sir, yours, &c. OBSERVATOR TERTIUS. P.S. The Gentlemen of Tiverton will have plenty to do this hunting season. Mr. Worth's fox-hounds promise well. Tiverton, Oct. 15, 1826. ON RYE, AS FOOD FOR CATTLE. SIR, IN your last Number I observe TAILLIG recommends wheat as food for cattle, in bread or paste. I would venture to call the attention of your numerous readers to the use of rye, as a substitute for oats for horses. I have seen it used in many parts of the Continent for horses, who had hard work, as preferable to oats, and half the quantity serves. I have lately tried it myself, mixed with chaff; and I have no hesitation in saying my horses have improved in condition since I did so. It is also much cheaper than oats at present. I should be glad to hear the opinion of some of your able Correspondents on this subject. I am, Sir, yours, &c. GREEN HORN. Near Montrose, Nov. 13, 1826. will answer well; and, if so, the saving is a valuable consideration at this time of oat monopoly; for we are fed, as fowls, by handfuls. If these lines deserve a corner in your interesting Miscellany, you will have the goodness to insert them, and you will oblige Yours, NOTSOB. Hackney, 23d November, 1826. ON THE MOST ECONOMICAL FOOD FOR HORSES. SIR, As S the selection of the most proper and economical food for horses must at all times be a subject worthy of attention, it is particularly so at the present moment, when the prices of the usual articles of diet are out of all ordinary proportion to that of others, which undoubtedly may be substituted with infinite advan tage. I perfectly agree with your Correspondent TAILLIG, that wheaten bread (I know nothing of paste) is a most excellent substitute for oats as food for horses; not only on the score of economy, but more particularly on account of the great superiority it possesses in point of nutriment over any kind of grain that has not undergone the process of making into bread; as will be sufficiently shewn by the following comparative table of the nutritive properties of various articles of diet-being the results of experi ments by MM. Percy and Vauquelin, two distinguished French chemists, endeavouring to ascertain the quantity of nutritive matter contained in each. Lentiles contain 94 nutritive parts in 100 Peas....... .93 French Beans...92 Common ditto...89 |