HUNTING LOCALITIES 153 



the Woodland Pytchley, which is an offshoot of the 

 Pytchley proper. By many these Midland hunts are 

 termed the grass countries, and there are those among 

 hunting men who will not allow of any other country 

 being classified in a similar manner, though in point 

 of fact it is a matter of considerable doubt as to 

 whether there are not other countries in which the 

 percentage of grass is not as great as it is in the 

 Shires. Indeed, with regard to the Bel voir, plough 

 predominates on the Lincolnshire side of the country, 

 and hounds are practically two days in each week 

 on the grass (on the Leicestershire side of the country), 

 and two days in country in which plough is in the 

 ascendant. As for the Quorn possibly four-fifths of it 

 is grass, but it is impossible to determine the exact 

 proportion, and a very similar remark applies to the 

 country hunted by Mr. Fernie, of which the compiler 

 of the descriptive matter in Baily's Hunting Directory 

 states that quite five-sixths of its area is grass, with 

 very little plough and woodland. The Cottesmore, 

 like the Belvoir, has a good deal of plough on the 

 eastern side of the country, but a greater part of the 

 hunting takes place in pasture land, and as a matter 

 of fact this country extends a long way eastwards, 

 and has a great deal of Lincolnshire fen country within 

 its rightful area, though hounds are seldom there. 



The Pytchley has two large sections of grass, in 

 the northern and southern districts of the hunt, some 

 plough mixed with the grass in the centre, and a good 

 deal of plough on the eastern side, while the Wood- 

 land Pytchley is three-quarters pasture and one- 

 quarter plough and woodland. 



Now following up the descriptions of countries which 

 are to be found in Baily's Hunting Directory^ the 



