I04 FOX-HUNTING 



The question then arises, how is it to be worked ? 

 I have already pointed out that buying direct 

 from the producer is in most cases not possible. 

 The only solution of the difficulty which I can 

 see is for the masters of hounds to have a written 

 agreement with the local dealers to this effect, 

 that all hay, oats, or straw supplied by them to 

 hunting-men shall have been bought and grown 

 in the neighbourhood. The name and address of 

 the farmer to be given when required. In order 

 to make this plan work, it would have to be an 

 understood thing that any hunting-man wishing 

 to buy forage from a dealer, should first ask the 

 M. F. H. with whom he might deal. This would 

 put a power in the hands of the master which 

 would enable him to make terms with the dealer, 

 and if one refused to submit, he would simply 

 lose the custom of every man hunting in the 

 district. I am afraid this system would add yet 

 another burden to the master's already over- 

 weighted shoulders, but when once fairly started 

 I do not think it would entail much trouble. 



Some such plan as this will be found necessary 

 before long, but until the day arrives, each 

 individual fox-hunter must do his best to ascertain 



