138 THE DIARY OF A HUNTSMAN 



whipper-in should go round to every earth-stopper 

 again, and see that he stops up every earth in 

 the following manner : first, make a fagot of sticks 

 the size • of each hole, which should be thrust 

 in, then drive a stake through it ; after which, 

 with a spade cover the whole over with earth. 

 It may not be necessary to state it, but the reason 

 why this last operation is not done at first is that, 

 in consequence of the fox-earth being smoked by 

 brimstone, a fox may, if in, not come out the first 

 night ; but by waiting three days he will by that 

 time find his way out, and, consequently, the earth 

 may be stopped without fear of stopping him in. 

 After this is done, the earth-stoppers are to under- 

 stand that the earths are to be kept stopped 

 during the whole winter, until they have orders 

 to open them in the spring for the vixens to lay 

 up their cubs in — ^to be opened the last week in 

 February. But if at any time previously in the 

 season a fox goes to ground, half a crown will be 

 deducted for every time any hole is found open, — 

 which will be a sure remedy against going to 

 ground. The earth-stoppers' pay will, of course, 

 be under this new regulation reduced according to 

 their deserts ; but they will be as well satisfied as 

 before, because they will have a regular salary, 

 and very little to do for it, instead of being 

 expected to be out all weathers when ordered, 



