THE MASTER 119 



have a personal interest in the soil. Farmers 

 prefer a man at the head of the hunt who through 

 his own experience can understand and sympathise 

 with them in their troubles. The Master who 

 does not know wheat or seeds from weeds is not 

 in a very good position to warn his field from 

 damaging those crops, and there are many other 

 useful hints he will pick up by a closer acquaint- 

 ance with the land. I do not say that a man is 

 not eligible to be an M. F. H. if he owns none 

 of the soil in his hunt, but it would be a point 

 in his favour. 



Local shows or other gatherings of farmers 

 should be attended by the M. F. H., and then, 

 of course, he must preside over his annual puppy- 

 show, which he should try to make as attractive as 

 possible. It is the custom on these occasions to 

 ask only the men, but I think the wives should 

 be included in the invitation, as it is chiefly on 

 their shoulders that the burdens of puppy-walking 

 fall. 



The Master of a pack of foxhounds is as much 

 a public servant as a member of Parliament, and 

 when he accepts the position, with its honours 

 and pleasures, he must not forget the duties and 



