8 THE BILLESDON HUNT. 



hounds run fast, bring many horses who 

 have a long stride to grief, unless they 

 possess the accomplishment, which very 

 few have, of accommodating their step to 

 the form of the ridge. Draining has, no 

 doubt, diminished the capabilities of the 

 land for holding a scent, while the sheep and 

 cattle stains prevail to a very great extent. 

 The goodness of the soil permits the cattle 

 to remain in the pasture fields generally 

 throughout the winter ; thus they are not, 

 as in many other counties, confined in the 

 farm-yards — a practice, by the way, which 

 I firmly believe to be more conducive to 

 profit, where proper shelter is afforded, 

 than leaving them exposed to the incle- 

 mency of the elements. Housing stock 

 durinor the winter is in other counties found 

 to be advantageous; why, therefore, should 

 Leicestershire be an exception ? 



The coverts in this country are admir- 

 ably managed ; take those of Sir Henry 



