CHANCE SHOTS AND ODD FISH. 227 



CHAPTER VIII. 



% 

 CHANCE SHOTS AND ODD FISH. 



THE gun and the rod were formerly used by the 

 working classes far more than they are at the pres- 

 ent time. And indeed the gun was necessary for 

 the protection of the crops in different stages of 

 their growth, just after planting as well as when 

 they arrived at maturity; especially in isolated 

 districts, where for miles nothing met the eye on 

 each side of the long sun-scorched roads in the 

 summer time except fruit - orchards, and gardens 

 used for growing vegetables and fruit. It was only 

 natural that the owners should seek to protect their 

 harvests from the feathered thieves. 



Hedgerow fruit is all very well for birds when 

 the season of cultivated fruits is over, but not 



