146 PHEASANTS 



with directly conflicting interests, and 

 must consequently make up his mind to 

 some definite line of policy, and stick to it. 



If he be of the " whole hogger " type 

 he may either devote his coverts entirely 

 to game and let all considerations of 

 timber go by the board, or else he may 

 sacrifice the shooting to the exclusive 

 cultivation of high forest — well and good ; 

 if he be of more open mind he may devote 

 certain portions of his woods to the pro- 

 duction of timber, and others to the 

 maintenance of his pheasants — equally 

 well and good. But if, without definite 

 end in view, he chop and change between 

 one course and the other, swayed by the 

 varying expert advice of forester and game- 

 keeper, and seeking by small concessions 

 to conciliate each in turn, he may rest 

 assured that his woods will eventually 

 serve no useful purpose whatsoever. 



No precise rules may be laid down as 

 to the wisest course to adopt, only 

 careful consideration of the varying local 

 conditions can determine the working 



