HOG- HUNTING 1 49 



of a century. The reason for this, however, Is 

 not difficult to find. Money hi India is scarce, 

 and the widespread popularity of polo in that 

 country has taken up the spare time and money 

 of a great many men, who w^ould otherwise have 

 devoted both the one and the other to the chase 

 of the grim, grey boar. 



There is not much difference in the cost, but 

 polo has this advantage, that you can obtain it 

 now nearly everywhere and practically all the 

 year round, w^hereas pig-sticking is only in 

 season before the crops are high, and cannot be 

 pursued everywhere for want of suitable ground 

 and suitable covert. It is absolutely necessary 

 that certain conditions should exist for the latter 

 sport, and it is generally desirable that some 

 care and attention should be paid to the pre- 

 servation of pig in the district to be hunted, and 

 to the management of the coverts. There are 

 some few favoured spots where the sport can be 

 enjoyed without much previous preparation, and 

 where, with a few beaters, the sportsman can go 

 out and enjoy a run and a kill by himself Yet 

 these places are few, and most men whose lot 

 is cast in India will never be in them : for the 

 majority of sportsmen by predilection are to 

 be found amongst the soldiers and the police. 

 Civilians are not so often fond of sport, and, 

 indeed, their occupations are now so engrossing 



