HUNTING 131 



their horse without unduly fatiguing him, and, above 

 all, they should know his capabilities for jumping 

 and his endurance. 



Hunting is a distinct art in itself. For as Whyte 

 Melville aptly puts it: "There is a right and a wrong 

 way of traversing every acre of ground that lies be- 

 tween the fences." The only way to acquire pro- 

 ficiency at hunting is simply by hunting itself — and 

 yet more hunting. Practice over artificial jumps, 

 where the take off and landing are level, will never 

 achieve this result. 



Cub-hunting before the regular season opens is, 

 perhaps, the best way not only to learn the etiquette 

 of the field and the manner in which it is best to cross 

 a country, but also the fascinating mystery of " hound" 

 work, without a knowledge of which hunting must 

 lose as much of its charm as music would were one 

 unable to detect one note from another. 



Moreover, out cubbing one usually meets only those 

 people who really love hunting, for it takes a lot of 

 enthusiasm to get up at four or five, on a chilly morn- 

 ing, and go to the meet sustained only by the contents 

 of a "thermos" bottle. 



Cub-hunting is not severe, and there is little jump- 

 ing done, for crops are still in the ground and the 

 fences are still "blind" (covered with underbrush and 

 growth), but it is an excellent way in which to fit 

 one's horse as well as oneself for the regular season. 

 The latter is a point too often neglected, but is as 

 important, if one wishes really to enjoy the season, 

 as keeping one's horses fit. I know of one amusing 

 incident when a well-known sportsman turned to his 

 stud groom, saying: "I am going away for six weeks; 

 be sure you have my horses fit and ready." As the 



