Foxes and the Rearing Field. 33 



attached to the posts to which the netting is fixed. 

 A fox will not be able to clamber over this fence, 

 the overhanging width proving an insurmountable 

 barrier, even if he is able to climb up to it. 

 Nothing but netting of strong gauge should be 

 utilised, for a persevering fox has by aid of his 

 teeth been known to tear his way through weaker 

 material. The mesh must be four-inch, because 

 this will admit of the pheasants passing in and 

 out of the enclosure as long as they remain on the 

 field, and save the trouble of lifting the netting at 

 the bottom to re-admit any which have happened 

 to fly over. Good stout posts, not more than 

 twelve feet apart, should hold up the netting, 

 and six inches of the latter must be let into the 

 ground. This is best done by turning a furrow 

 with a plough to that depth all round the circum- 

 ference of the fence ; the wire may then be put to 

 the bottom, and the furrow turned back and 

 trodden in place. It is very necessary to stretch 

 the netting tightly between the posts, especially 

 if the overhanging width at the top is dispensed 

 with, because it is at places where the netting 

 sags inwards that a fox makes a dash and scrambles 

 over. Very few know how to stretch netting 

 tightly, so it will be advisable to describe the 

 process. Neatly staple it to the posts in the 



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