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in an open country, and which are not too big for hounds 

 to force an unwilling tenant to leave. Such a covert 

 should not be less than four acres or more than twelve. 

 In the case of the smaller size there should be no rides, 

 and in the larger only two, cutting the covert into 

 four equal quarters with gates at each end. The width 

 of rides should not be more than six feet as otherwise 

 it is an encouragement for unauthorized persons to use 

 them for shooting rabbits. The gates also should 

 be so placed that it is impossible to see the length of 

 a ride from outside the covert, as otherwise foxes feel 

 they have no privacy in crossing from one quarter to 

 the other. 



Here let me say a few words anent earths before going 

 into further details. The artificial earth I very strongly 

 condemn, although many people may disagree with 

 me. They are a frequent cause of mange, encourage 

 foxes to go to ground, and have been the direct cause 

 of eUminating the stub-bred sort, which always showed 

 the best sport. It is very natural that keepers, earth- 

 stoppers and those in charge of coverts, not to mention 

 the owners, should be anxious for hounds to find when 

 they come. An earth in the covert when stopped at 

 the right time, does certainly help to ensure a fox of 

 some sort being there when wanted, but it more often 

 than not frightens a real old traveller away. The earth 

 stopper should do his work about mid-night and the 

 mere fact of his presence together with the smell he 

 leaves in the covert at that hour is enough to scare a 

 veteran. Then it is not always reaUzed the wisdom 

 that foxes acquire with experience, and when they 

 find an earth closed which is usually open, they know 

 perfectly well the district is going to be dangerous for 

 them. 



