THE FOX 121 



The writer takes the opportunity of declaiming 

 against turning down foxes, having been fortunate 

 in hunting a country so well stocked as not to 

 require it ; but if it were necessary to resort to 

 any method, he would most assuredly adopt the 

 following, which is the only good and sure plan 

 of getting foxes in parts of a country where there 

 are no holding covers, and in which part of the 

 country it may be desirable to some residents, all 

 of whom, if they have any land, have it in their 

 power, at a trifling expense, to get native foxes ; 

 and the greater the distance from large covers, 

 the better will be the runs, if these foxes get to 

 them. It often happens that a vixen fox, with 

 or without cubs, is dug out, and brought to the 

 master of the hounds, probably by accident, or 

 from a part of the country which is seldom or 

 never hunted. When this is the case, the plan is 

 to make a false earth, — a drain about three feet 

 deep or more, where necessary, about twelve 

 inches wide ; to be firmly covered over with thick 

 boards, or rough timber ; then cover it with earth, 

 well rammed down ; the drain to be about ten 

 yards long, at the end a space about three feet 

 square. Then get a light, but strong chain, and 

 a strong collar, and chain up the vixen ; the end 

 of the chain to be fastened about six feet within 

 the hole, so that when the fox goes in to the end, 



