CHAPTER VIII 



EARTH-STOPPING 



S. HOSE countries which 

 abound with fox-earths 

 are very liable to have 

 blank days, according 

 to the usual method 

 of management ; for 

 where there are earths, 

 foxes at times will be 

 in them when they are 

 wanted elsewhere, even when the earth-stoppers 

 do their duty. But the first question to put 

 is, whether it is likely that a man can be 

 depended on to get up long before daylight 

 in the coldest and most dreary part of winter 

 to stop a cold earth, and leave the warmer 

 clay by his side ? It is all very well for men 

 to say. Yes ! and that they know they do 

 their duty properly, for they have sent down to 

 ascertain it. Ascertain what ? that the earths 



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