HUNTING 65 



other horsemen, ride into the turnip-field to crack 

 a fox up with their whips, and then quietly, and 

 without hurry, lay hounds on the line." 



To the above very sensible remarks Tom 

 Smith adds : — 



" I quite agree with Mr. Elsey about drawing 

 turnip-fields, and should always advise not letting 

 hounds get a view if possible ; but a few cracks 

 of the whip going through the turnips should 

 disturb a fox, and the whipper-in at the end of 

 the field should put up his cap to let the 

 huntsman know the fox is away, and the 

 hounds should then be put on the line as quietly 

 and quickly as possible. The same remark 

 applies to small coverts. The less noise the better 

 the chance of a run. Noise only gets the 

 hounds' heads up, and causes them to be wild, 

 especially in a country full of riot." 



There is a right way and a wrong way of doing 

 everything, and when two experts agree as to the 

 right method to pursue, it is wise to attend to 

 their advice. But how often one sees the wrong 

 way taken instead ! 



Q. In cub-hunting it is now a common practice 

 to let hounds run from the very commencement. 

 Is this a wise plan ? 



A. Cub-hunting is like rehearsing for a play, 

 and a full-dress rehearsal — in this case a run in 

 the open — should not be attempted till the 

 performers are nearly perfect in their parts. 

 Unless young hounds find at first that if they 

 do not face the thick underwood they will have 

 no fun, they are not likely to become keen 

 drawers afterwards ; and it must be remembered 

 that many puppies have had no opportunity of 

 6 



