168 RECORDS OF THE CHASE 



hound are necessary to get rid of the imperfections of 

 the blood-hound. 



In 1843 a subscription was entered into, when the 

 management of the Wheatland hounds was confided to 

 Mr. Baker, and from that period they have occupied 

 kennels at Bridgenorth. Thisi gentleman's attention 

 to the improvement of the pack since he has had the 

 management of them has been amply repaid. Born 

 in the country and accustomed to following hounds from 

 his boyhood, he knows every field in it; and, what is 

 of more importance to a huntsman, he knows the run 

 of the foxes. This affords an opportunity for observing 

 that much excellent sport may be obtained without a 

 lavish expenditure of money, providing things are well 

 conducted ; and also that it may be accomplished in a 

 country of limited extent, if foxes are well preserved. 



Shropshire is a country whose sons are proverbially 

 zealous sportsmen, and in no portion of it is it more 

 conspicuous than in that which comprises the Wheat- 

 land Hunt. To persons not acquainted with the 

 locality it may be an object of inquiry why it should 

 have received the title. It is a provincial term among 

 the inhabitants to distingush it from the turnip and 

 barley soil, extending a considerable distance on the 

 eastern banks of the River Severn, which is hunted by 

 the Albrighton hounds. The difference between the 

 two countries is very remarkable and interesting, con- 

 sidering that the river only marks the distinction. Ap- 

 proaching the picturesque borough of Bridgenorth, 

 either from Shiffnal, Wolverhampton, Stourbridge, or 

 Kidderminster, land of a verj^ light, loamy, and sandy 

 character prevails, and with the exception of a small 

 portion of strong land near Alam Bridge, six miles 

 from Bridgenorth on the Kidderminster road, the light 

 soil extends from twelve to fifteen miles. Having crossed 

 the Severn and passed through Bridgenorth, the strong 

 clay presents itself, where the cultivation of wheat and 

 beans forms the principal portion of the farmers care ; 

 there is, however, a fair quantity of grass, and the 



