MEMOIR OF THE KILKENNY HUNT. 95 



Pheroda, Fennon, Clifden bottoms, and the Rock, as 

 well as many of the older coverts, have disappeared ; 

 but, speaking broadly, the majority of the old coverts 

 exist still, whilst many additional ones have been 

 made during the last fifty years. The number of 

 coverts in the country is now about eighty-four, 

 though some are seldom drawn. The proximity of 

 coverts to each other naturally tends somewhat to 

 make foxes run short, and perhaps they may do so 

 more often than was once the case ; but, with a good 

 scent, they will travel as far as ever in all probability, 

 and coverts such as the two Killecns (situated at 

 opposite extremities of the country), Knockroe, 

 Rossmore, Knockbrack, Bishopslough, Windgap, and 

 Carricktriss, may be counted on to furnish as stout 

 and straight-running foxes as most coverts in any 

 hunt. 



As regards the keeping of the country, the early 

 practice of leaving everything to the Master was re- 

 placed about thirty years ago by the system of division 

 into districts, certain gentlemen paying all charges as 

 to coverts, damage, &c., in given areas ; and the latter 

 arrangement, wisely carried out, is probably the 

 better one, and fairer to the Master as well as to the 

 farmers and covert-keepers. At all events, it has 

 worked fairly well so far as foxes arc concerned, the 

 country being fully stocked in most parts. 



As to the country, though in some districts there 

 is a considerable amount under tillage, the greater 

 part of Kilkenny is under grass, which carries a par- 

 ticularly holding scent, and hounds can travel fast 

 over it ; and it is this latter characteristic which has 



