74 THE DIARY OF A HUNTSMAN 



of fox-hounds to open and widen the runs in and 

 about the covers. These wires are set as soon as 

 it is hght, and the pheasants shortly after are 

 caught in them. The whole affair is done in a 

 couple of hours ; and it is impossible for the keeper 

 to be everywhere during that time. Indeed, 

 poachers have often been heard to say that a pack 

 of fox-hounds is the greatest enemy they have. 



Men who have keepers and who wish well to 

 fox-hunting, by ordering them to set their traps 

 for vermin in a particular way will catch all the 

 vermin, without touching a fox ; but the excuse is 

 that traps, which are baited with rabbits, etc., as 

 they say for small vermin, often catch foxes, — 

 indeed more foxes than anything else. Instead 

 therefore of baiting the trap in the usual way by 

 placing the bait on the ground under the trap 

 which is covered over, the proper plan, and most 

 successful for catching small vermin, is to set the 

 trap in a low place as before ; then fasten the bait 

 on a forked stick, about two feet long, and the 

 other end should be stuck in the ground, leaving 

 the bait on it about twelve inches high over the 

 trap, when every weasel or pole-cat, etc., will come 

 to it, and in reaching to get the bait, are certain 

 to be caught ; but if a fox comes he takes the 

 bait without stepping on the trap, as he winds the 

 trap and reaches over it. 



