282 EMPLOYMENT OF THE DOG IN HUNTING, ETC. 



there is often quite as mucli excitement produced as in the most 

 imjDortant public meeting. But then there must be a person 

 appointed to act as judge, for Avithout this functionary there 

 must be endless disj)utes as to the respective qualifications of the 

 greyhounds engaged. With him, if he understands the points 

 of the course, it is only necessary to conduct the beating of the 

 ground jiroperly, and to appoint a proper person to slip the 

 greyhounds, and then everything is en regie. 



In beating the ground, when there are no gentlemen present 

 on horseback, five or six beaters must be provided, whose task is 

 somewhat onerous, if there is much ploughed land, especially in 

 clay districts when wet. In any case, a line should be formed, 

 with one person at every twenty yards, and then walking abreast 

 from one extremity of the field to the other, so as either to find 

 the hare sitting, or to put her up from her form. The proper 

 direction of this line of beaters, so as to drive the hare in the best 

 direction, requires some considerable experience and tact. Thus, 

 when there is a covert near, the beat should he from it, so as to 

 compel the hare to go in the opposite direction, by which a suffi- 

 ciently long course is often insured, whereas otherwise she would 

 be safe before she was well reached. At the end of this beat the 

 men should return over the beaten ground, taking what is called 

 a " dead beat," and then again beating from covert. When the 

 part of a field is beaten near the hedge, the line on that side 

 should be extended forwards ; and, if there is a horseman present, 

 he should walk up close to the hedge, thirty yards in front of the 

 others, so as to prevent the hare at once running through it. Hares 



