79 



When meets are fixed it is, of course, impossible to 

 foretell in what quarter the wind may blow, but if 

 feasible it is always better to draw down wind coverts 

 first and those farthest away from kennels. In a book 

 written some twenty-five years ago {Hunting, Haddon 

 Hall Library), I ^\Tote that small coverts should be 

 drawn down Tvind and woodlands the reverse way. 

 My reason was that a fox would hear his enemies coming 

 and would not be likely to be caught asleep in a small 

 covert, whereas in a large wood he might get a long start. 



This still appears to me the right method, but when 

 the book was pubhshed I had a very kind and apprecia- 

 tive letter from that excellent sportsman, the late 

 Mr. George Foljambe, and his only criticism was this 

 point of drawing small coverts down wind. He said 

 that a fox always made a sharp turn when first disturbed 

 from his kennel and consequently drawing down -svind 

 he would turn up -wind into the jaws of the pack. 

 Although I had the greatest resjject for the fox-hunting 

 knowledge and experience of ]\ir. Foljambe, his reasoning 

 on this matter did not convince me. 



The fascinating science of hunting a fox presents many 

 strange problems, the solution of which will always 

 give students food for much thought and reflection. 

 There is not scope in tliis article to deal fully with the 

 subject, but in addition to the few hints already given 

 it will not be out of place to repeat that even the greatest 

 experts may learn something from close observation. 



Besides following his hounds in the field a huntsman 

 has many other duties to perform in the kennel, and it 

 is on the way they are carried out that much of his 

 ultimate success will hinge. The most important of 

 all is in having his hounds in perfect condition from the 

 moment he starts cub-hunting. A moderate pack in 



