88 FOX-HUNTING 



lie up in the trees because they cannot find a dry 

 bed on the ground. Contrary to the general 

 idea, clay affords the driest lying, whilst the 

 warmth of a fox's body draws the moisture up 

 through a porous soil. 



Much harm is done by the injudicious turning 

 down of foxes : mange is very often one of the 

 results, and it also annoys the farmers of the dis- 

 trict. In my opinion, no one ought to turn down 

 foxes in a country except the master, or without 

 his special permission. If a man has coverts and 

 is interested in hunting, he naturally likes to have 

 foxes, but he very probably does not know how 

 scarce or plentiful they may be in the neighbour- 

 hood. Then, unless foxes that are turned down 

 are properly looked after, they will never thrive 

 or show sport. The usual plan is to get a litter 

 of cubs from Scotland, and turn them into an 

 earth that is wired round. If they are kept 

 shut in too long they are certain to contract the 

 mange, and if let out too soon will wander away 

 to be killed by dogs. I have already said that 

 the best plan, when possible, is to secure the 

 vixen as well. Of course, no one must think of 

 buying foxes except from a country where it is 



