CAPTAIN FORESTER TO THE WAR 197 



sprinkled its seed over the wolds, and these quickly 

 sprung up into robust plants when the plough no 

 longer disturbed the soil. Mr. Charlton then en- 

 closed several acres of this self-sown gorse, which, 

 with the aid of the natural thorn and bramble, 

 grew into an impenetrable thicket, known for a 

 time as Charlton's Gorse, or the New Covert, but 

 which I have always called Thrussington Gorse. 

 Barely 200 yards distant is the wood which has 

 caused the dispute about a name. Those who 

 object to the wood being called Ragdale bring as 

 their strongest argument that it is in the parish of 

 Thrussington. This is correct, but the division of 

 parishes was often made a matter of convenience by 

 those who collected the dues, and, as the wood be- 

 longed to the Ferrars family, it should bear the 

 name of the village in which they resided. Thrus- 

 sington Wolds includes the wood, the gorse and 

 the surrounding land, but the name of Ragdale 

 Wood applies only to the covert in dispute." 



On the last Friday in November 1906 the late 

 master of the Quorn, Capt. Burns-Hartopp, was 

 presented with the testimonial which had been 

 subscribed for by those who enjoyed the sport 

 during his reign, and probably the most gratifying 

 feature to the recipient was the fact that a large 

 number of farmers had subscribed. 



Mr. Hanbury had given permission for hounds 

 to meet at Little Dalby Hall, which is in Cottesmore 

 territory, and it was there the presentation was 

 made. 



Mr. Hanbury must have been then thinking of 

 his own resignation, as a month later he had sent 



