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foxes cannot be dislodged until after considerable 

 delay. In the case of a small enclosure of three acres 

 or less it is permissible, as the mere presence of hounds 

 at such close quarters will frighten the tenants into 

 leaving. Privet, however, by itself may be laid, 

 and where the plants are far apart they can be bent 

 over, a cut made in the ground, the bend pegged down 

 and the soil replaced. These bends when attached to 

 the parent stem quickly throw out roots and become 

 independent. This again is a system not advisable 

 in a large covert. 



In layering privet it should, like thorn, be cut close 

 to the ground, but great care must be exercised with the 

 former and the cut must not be deep or it wiU break 

 off. I have noticed occasionally white thorn cut two or 

 three feet from the ground with the idea of leaving 

 temporary covert. This is a great mistake for although 

 the covert may be not quite as bare for the first year, 

 it wiU ever after be getting worse. Everything should 

 be cut as close to the ground as possible, when the roots 

 will be strengthened and the main stovins throw out 

 fresh growth. 



Referring again to privet this plant will be found 

 very useful in plantations that are intended to hold 

 foxes. If planted at the same time as larch and other 

 forest trees it will attain a vigorous growth before 

 becoming overshadowed, and will then flourish as well in 

 the shade as it would in the open. When privet has 

 been laid and subsequently attained great strength, 

 I have known foxes lie on the top whilst hounds sought 

 them vainly underneath. 



The blackberry brier is also a very useful adjunct 

 to a covert, and is another favourite with foxes that will 

 thrive in the shade. I suppose like aU climbing and 



