MODERN FARMING VERSUS SPORT. 6 



system of grubbing the wide old fashioned hedges 

 or ( shaws,' and replacing them by narrow, well- 

 clipped quickset fences, wooden palings, or iron 

 rails, ostensibly for the purpose of increasing 

 the surface of ploughing land, deprives the par- 

 tridge of a favourite nesting place, and the shooter 

 of an excellent and convenient cover into which 

 he could always calculate on driving them when 

 the covies were wild, and the turnips thin. A 

 still more objectionable * improvement ' is the 

 introduction of the ' fagging hook,' which in 

 many counties has superseded the good old 

 fashioned sickle. From the shape and size of 

 this instrument, and the manner in which it is 

 used, the stalks of the wheat are cut close to the 

 ground, and the stubble the glorious stubble 

 is thus relentlessly shaved down as effectually as 

 if the operation had been performed by a scythe ; 

 and the birds, finding no place of concealment 

 there, or in the neighbouring fences, are quickly 

 alarmed at the approach of the shooter, and, 

 almost before his dogs have begun to range the 

 field, run to the opposite side, scud over the 

 hedge, and take refuge in the nearest piece of 

 turnips. Here, too, ' the modern system ' is 

 against the sportsman. The white rounds or 

 Swedes have been sowed in drills for the freer 

 admission of air, and more perfect drainage of 



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