86 FOX-HUNTING 



of it down, and then, if all your eggs are in 

 one basket, your covert is useless for three 

 years. 



I do not mean to assert that this is the best 

 and the only way of making a covert ; but I do 

 not think you would be disappointed with the 

 result, if you followed my advice. Swampy 

 ground that is useless for any other purpose may 

 be converted into an excellent covert by planting 

 osiers ; but if the soil is very wet, the best plan 

 is to throw up banks four feet wide with narrow 

 ditches between. This gives the fox a dry place 

 to lie on, and the osiers thrive better. If you 

 want a place that will hold a fox the first year, 

 you must make what is called a stick-covert. 

 Supposing the field you intend to convert is in 

 grass, you must have it grazed down close in the 

 spring, and then well scarified with heavy harrows. 

 Procure grass-seeds that grow tall and rank from 

 your seedsman there are certain kinds sold for 

 the purpose, then sow them and, if possible, 

 top-dress with soil. A little artificial manure 

 would help matters, as it is important to get a 

 luxuriant growth. The sticks should be white- 

 thorn, and must be firmly driven in the ground, 



