BsiyVOiR Hunt. 129 



years of increasing depression have altered the 

 views taken by farmers on the subject of 

 hunting. Though nineteen out of twenty of 

 them remain sportsmen at heart, and delight 

 in the music of hounds, bad prices, unfavour- 

 able seasons, local taxation, preferential rates, 

 and foreign competition have done incalculable 

 injury to the chief industry of our country ; and 

 it is no wonder that occupiers of land, many of 

 whom used to breed a few hunters, enjoy a bit of 

 sport in the education of their young ones, and 

 realise a little profit on the sale, should desire 

 compensation for injuries to fences and crops, 

 and the loss of poultry. But the introduction 

 of barbed wire is the greatest and most dan- 

 gerous evil of all. Though it may be a cheap 

 and useful barrier against cattle, so long as 

 they don't get entangled in it, the fearful 

 injuries which have been inflicted upon hounds, 

 horses, and men, upon which ^' The Field " 

 and other sporting newspapers have constantly 

 made valuable suggestions, lead to the 

 conclusion that arrangements will, in most 

 cases, have to be made with the occupiers of 

 land for its removal in the winter months and 

 re-erection after the season is over at the 

 expense of different hunts where this is desired. 



