The Huntsman's Best Friend is the Farmer 



is only ordinary courtesy and good manners to see that 

 gates are closed to prevent stock from straying, crops 

 are avoided, and as little damage done as possible. 

 That hunting has existed and is to-day more flourishing 

 than ever is in no small way due to the fact that this 

 type of sportsmen predominate. Few farmers there are 

 who will not, at the first sound of hounds, cease work 

 and run to a bank-top to view the chase. With thoughts 

 miles from any damage which may accrue, their primary 

 interest is to see hounds running, horses negotiating big 

 fences and, for a taste of variety, an occasional fall. 

 That portion of the sport they thoroughly enjoy until 

 with the passing of the spectacle, they are faced with 

 the resultant havoc wrought on their farmstead by the 

 thoughtless minority. One feels convinced that these 

 thoughtless riders imagine that a farmer should feel 

 honoured to have them gallop across his wheat; that 

 his turnips should be pulped while still growing; that 

 his field of new grass will benefit by having the tender 

 hay-seeds buried six inches underground; and that he 

 enjoys the exercise of having to tramp two miles up the 

 road in search of his wandering stock. Lovers of hounds 

 and good hound- work should be grateful that riders with 

 such warped mentalities are in the minority. Otherwise 

 who could blame a farmer, if subjected to such treat- 

 ment, for locking his gates, erecting barbed-wire fences 

 until his farm was a veritable bird-cage, and eventually 

 stopping hunting altogether. 



That fanners refrain from such drastic reprisals is a 

 tribute to their tolerance and sportsmanship. And now, 

 K 135 (01280) 



