STOCK 419 



fluctuate so greatly from year to year that it is difficult to esti- 

 mate a safe limit for the winter stock probably about four 

 hundred pairs. 



Column 5b represents the bags on the same moor from 

 1894 ; in this year driving was adopted as the only method 

 of shooting the ground. The results of better stock regulation 

 under the new conditions are shown by the figures. While 

 there are no individual bags as large as in 1866 and 1872, the 

 average bag has increased from four hundred and fifty-eight 

 brace to seven hundred and six brace, in spite of two very 

 bad seasons. 



No. 6 Moor. A breeding stock of about six hundred brace 

 would probably be a safe limit. 



No. 7 Moor. This is a large moor extending to about 

 25,000 acres, and probably capable of carrying a larger stock 

 than might be supposed from the bags ; probably one thousand 

 five hundred pairs would not be too large a winter stock. 



No. 8 Moor. Another large moor, or, strictly speaking, 

 a collection of moors on one estate extending altogether to 

 34,000 acres ; about one thousand five hundred to one thousand 

 seven hundred pairs would probably be a sufficient breeding 

 stock, according to the condition of the heather in the early 

 spring months. 



No. 9 Moor. About five hundred to six hundred pairs. 



We find that on each moor so examined there is a very 

 clearly defined limit of winter stock which it is dangerous to 

 approach, and almost certain disaster to exceed, and that 

 while in occasional years, owing to unusually favourable 

 conditions, an exceptional stock of birds may be roared, there 

 is a constant tendency for the stock to revert to the normal 

 ratio for the district. The whole art of moor management 

 depends upon a proper appreciation of this tendency, for if 

 the stock be not reduced to the safety limit by artificial means, 

 nature will inevitably intervene, and will regulate the super- 

 abundance with such severity that it may be years before the 

 moor recovers, 



