494 THE GROUSE IN HEALTH AND IN DISEASE 



From the statistics collected it is estimated that the approximate average 

 yield from Grouse moors in Scotland is about nine hundred thousand 



Approxi- 

 mate rent brace, and the average rent about 980,000 or, say, 1,000,000, repre- 



of Grouse . J r 



moors in sentmg a large proportion of the gross income from the ownership 



Scotland. 



ol land in the country. 



In a recently published work : the cumulo annual rental of Grouse moors 

 in Scotland is estimated at 789,250 ; but the calculation is based on the 

 assumption that the average rent of each moor is only 250, which is probably 

 too low an estimate. 



in England ^ n England and Wales the average yield is estimated at three 

 and Wales. nillic i rec i an( j twenty thousand brace, and the average rent at about 

 270,000. 



Owing to the difficulty of making an accurate calculation of the amount of 

 the deductions referred to, the net rental cannot be very definitely stated ; but if 

 it be estimated at one-third of the gross rental it'would amount to 333,333 

 or, say, 330,000 in Scotland and about 90,000 in England. The whole of 

 this sum of net rental must be placed to the credit of the Grouse. It is true 

 that in exceptional cases the residence or shooting lodge referred to might 

 possibly be let during the summer months even without Grouse shooting ; but 

 in that case the rent would not exceed 20 or 30 per month, or a total of 75 

 for three months. Out of this rent the proprietor would have to meet upkeep 

 of house and garden, wear and tear of furniture, and interest on initial outlay. 

 The deductions would amount to more than the gross rent, and the transaction 

 would be unprofitable. In the majority of cases the absence of Grouse would 

 make the shooting lodges absolutely unlettable even at a nominal rent. 



It is clear, therefore, that, in the interests of proprietors at least, Grouse 

 shooting is of great importance, and on many estates, owing to the fall in 

 agricultural rents and the increase of burdens, sporting rents form the main 

 source of income. 



From the point of view of the employee the question is of equal importance. 



The census returns for Scotland show that the total number of gamekeepers 



employed in that country alone is over five thousand three hundred : 



Permanent 



employ- but of these it is estimated that at least a third are employed 



ment. _ i J 



upon low ground shootings, leaving between three thousand and four 

 thousand as the number employed on Grouse moors. 



1 " Grouse and Grouse Moors," by George Malcolm and Ayiner Maxwell. Adam and Charles Black, 1910. 



