88 Recollections of the Vine Htmt. 



Adamson was always at ..hand to give assistance at 

 the moment when it was wanted; and the conse- 

 quence was, that the Vine hounds, during this period, 

 were more frequently running hard, and on good 

 terms with their fox, than any other pack that I have 

 hunted with. Adamson's retirement very nearly coin- 

 cided with the time when I left off hunting in the 

 year 1834, beyond which date I do not carry these 

 observations. 



The country hunted at this time was nearly the 

 same with that which Mr. Chute had occupied ; in- 

 cluding, of course, all that is now given up for a time 

 to the South Berks ; but Mr. Fellowes, by an agree- 

 ment made with Mr. Assheton Smith, gave up to him 

 that portion of Doiley Wood which the Vine had 

 drawn, and received in return Doles' Wood, which 

 again was afterwards given back to Mr. Smith in 

 exchange for Wherwell Wood. Either of these great 

 covers was very useful, not only for cubbing, but also 

 for an occasional day to get hounds into wind after a 

 frost, or when the better parts of the country required 

 rest. A large wood suited the Vine ; and they seldom 

 came away from either Doles or Wherwell, at any 

 time of the year, without blood. It is remarkable 

 that, while parts of Doiley Wood never hold a scent. 

 Doles, on the opposite side of the same valley, at 

 about the same elevation, and apparently on a similar 

 soil, is one of the best scenting covers in Hampshire. 

 I have seen the Vine hounds in that wood run into 

 a healthy dog fox, after thirty-five minutes' racing, 

 without ever leaving the cover. 



The pack consisted of about forty couples of 

 hounds, and they hunted three times a week : on 



