THE FIELD 135 



ones. Even the best makers in the trade only charge 

 seven and sixpence or half a guinea for an ash plant 

 and thong, and when these are bought they should be 

 chosen of the right size, with a handle suitable for 

 holding a gate, and studded with screws. 



A weak, light handle on any crop spoils it at once, 

 for even the hardest of riders must open and hold 

 gates at times, and the short, light handle slips through, 

 especially if it has no knob, or no screws. The best 

 whalebone crops which can be procured are usually 

 used by masters of hounds and hunt servants of the 

 best-turned-out packs, and these whalebones vary 

 greatly in their powers of resistance, while, as is only 

 natural, one man will get through three or four, 

 his neighbour may carry one for many seasons. Then, 

 again, there is a certain amount of luck about a whale- 

 bone crop, and though the makers of crops are doubt- 

 less good judges of the article it is certain that some 

 whalebones will stand far more wear and hard usage 

 than others. A whalebone crop is sporting, but not the 

 most satisfactory whip for the rank and file of hunting 

 men and women, firstly, because it is far heavier than 

 cane ; secondly, because if really good it is more ex- 

 pensive ; and thirdly, because it has a shorter life. 



Good cane crops, with the best thong which can 

 be procured, are quite the most serviceable whips, 

 and the thong should not be too long, and of fair 

 thickness in the middle. A thong which is the same 

 size throughout its length is very useless ; there 

 should be what hunt servants call a good "belly" in 

 the middle, as this ensures force when the thong is 

 cracked. It is, too, by the way, the heavy weight of 

 the whalebone crop which causes it to be in general 

 use amongst hunt servants, because their whips must 



