The Wanganui Cup Race.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1358, 15 March 1881, Page 2

The Wanganui Cup Race.

The flag fell to a good start, Libeller jumping away with the lead, Randwick next. Then came the rest in a bunch, Dan being the last to get away. The field was a pretty one as they came round the bend into the straight, Libeller leading up to the stand with Randwick on the whip hand, Soukar third, Rocket fourth, and Natator leading the rest, with Dan and King Quail bringing up the rear. Going round the top turn End along the back of the course Libeller atill held the lead, Randwick, Ojpawa, and Natator being in good positions next, Rocket falling gradually to the rear. As they came round the bottom turn into the straight for the second time Randwick could not be held back, and he came on almost level terms with Libeller, Natator, close up, third, Opawa, still going well, fourth, Sir George fifth, Norseman and Dan next in order, Rocket hopelessly in the rear. After getting round the top turn, Dan improved his position, as did Opawa, who passed Natator, and went on third to Libeller and Randwick, who were still in coin* mand. Sir George now came up, and ran in company with Natator till about half a mile from home, when he paused Natator and Dan, and went in pursuit of the leaders, with whom he soon got on terms. As the colt came thus prominently to the front, cries of " Sir George has it I" came from the ring. Entering the straight Sir George had slightly the best of it, and although Libeller and Randwick kept close by dint of determined riding, the colt had been settled at the grand stand enclosure, and won at ease by a length. Natator was brought up with a grand rush at the finish, beating Randwick for third place, Libeller being half a length ahead. Dan was fifth, King Quail sixth ; the rest pulled up. Time, 4mini. lOisecs. Foul Play, On Dit, My Dream, Bads* worth, and Redeemer were scratched.

Onion Cot/tobb.— Onions will grow in almost any rich and light aoil, but they do beat in dark vegetable mould, veildrained and yet moist. Reclaimed swamp land, if light and mellow, is very choice for onions. Rictt, ,Jttndy loam, and cleaned willow lands are «Isq valuable for this crop. The best fertaSjiwrß are stable manure, night-soil, guano, and superphosphate of lime. If the soil i* rich the crop does better for several successive years. The seed should be planted very early in the spring, in drills a foot apart, and thinned to three inches in the row. If the soil is suitable they will crowd each other, in fact almost touching in the soil The silver skin, or white Portugal onions are usually preferred. There it much poor seed in. the market, and it should only he procured from responsible dealer*, ao inferior seed is not .worth, planting, even, as a gift. Onion* need , conjUnV cultivating. \ . ' , / „