86 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN 



ence, and getting so severely punished that he 

 becomes cunnino- and unreliable. This fact leads 

 me to suggest that all dogs of the terrier class, 

 after two years of age, should have a certificate 

 of working capabilities in the field before being 

 shown on the bench. 



It is only in comparatively recent years that two 

 practices have come into vogue which seriously 

 militate ao-ainst fox-huntinor — viz. drainino; the 

 land and the use of artificial manures. With re- 

 gard to the former, the greater portion of the 

 midland counties, forming some of the best cattle 

 and sheep grazing in England, had until about 

 the eiofhties remained in the old condition in 

 which farmers of previous generations had left it. 

 However, a sequence of wet seasons set the scien- 

 tific agriculturists to improve the stock- bearing 

 capacities, so some parts of the country were 

 drained. The experiment proved a success ; other 

 areas were similarly treated, and eventually the 

 greater part of the midland counties was treated 

 in the same manner. No doubt in a sequence 

 of wet seasons this treatment of the land was 

 beneficial ; on the other hand, when two or three 

 dry seasons followed one another it was proved 

 that the stock-bearing capacity of these lands was 

 reduced. 



Scent may be a difficult subject to deal with, 



