THE GENESEE VALLEY 



Wadsworth's guests in every sense of the word, and can hardly be termed a 

 club. 



Major Wadsworth did not advertise his meets or issue regular cards until 

 1880, and since that time the hounds have been out always tv«ce, and 

 generally three times a week during the season, which lasts from October 

 15th well into February. Of course, during this time there are many 

 days when the ground is dry and frozen and hunting is impossible; but the 

 best of sport is often had when the ground is covered with snow, and the 

 pack averages two runs a week through the season. 



The country is full of woodchuck holes, and as the Master objects to 

 digging, few foxes are killed ; but they are apt to give long, hard runs before 

 going to ground, and so long as they are not lost while they are above ground, 

 honour is safe. 



The country hunted is a large one, although the hounds rarely go north of 

 Honeoye Creek, south of Tuscarora, east of Hemlock Lake or west of 

 Oatka Valley. The land is usually open — well-cultivated farms with patches 

 of timber — but the uplands are cut in places by deep ravines and gullies, 

 which are much more popular with the foxes than with their pursuers. The 

 lowlands along the river have enormous fields, often two or three hundred 

 acres in extent, so that a horse that can extend himself, as well as one that 

 can climb and slide down hill, is needed. 



The local landowners compose a large percentage of the Field, and the 

 farmers throughout the country are long-suffering and kindly disposed ; but 

 the increase of wire fencing is such that Major Wadsworth believes the 

 sport to be hopelessly doomed in the years to come, and even now, some of 

 the best country, though full of foxes, is practically unrideable. 



The Genesee Valley Hunt Club was organized in 1 88 1 by " gentlemen 

 who ride with Major Wadsworth's hounds," and is absolutely confined to 

 those who have so ridden. They have nothing to do with the management 

 of the hounds, but give equestrian sports on July 4th and a Horse Show in 

 the autumn, and contribute to the damage fund. 



Major Wadsworth, who has been in office as Master longer than anyone 

 else in America, is an ideal man for the position, an enthusiastic apostle of 



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