8 The Amateur Poacher 



lock was a trifle dull at first, simply from lack of use. 

 A small screwdriver soon had it to pieces, and it 

 speedily clicked again sweet as a flute. If the ham- 

 mer came back rather far when at full-cock, that 

 was because the lock had been converted from a flint, 

 and you could not expect it to be absolutely perfect. 

 Besides which, as the fall was longer the blow was 

 heavier, and the cap was sure to explode. 



By old farmhouses, mostly in exposed places (for 

 which there is a reason), one or more huge walnut 

 trees may be found. The provident folk of those 

 days planted them with the purpose of having their 

 own gunstocks cut out of the wood when the tree 

 was thrown. They could then be sure it was really 

 walnut, and a choice piece of timber thoroughly well 

 seasoned. I like to think of those times, when men 

 settled themselves down, and planted and planned 

 and laid out their gardens and orchards and woods, 

 as if they and their sons and sons' sons, to the twen- 

 tieth generation, were sure to enjoy the fruit of their 

 labour. 



The reason why the walnuts are put in exposed 

 places, on the slope of a rise, with open aspect to the 

 east and north, is because the walnut is a foolish tree 

 that will not learn by experience. If it feels the 

 warmth of a few genial days in early spring, it imme- 



