284: RANDOM THOUGHTS ON HUNTING. 



country, are much, less densely covered with under- 

 growth than formerly. The contrast is so striking, 

 the change undergone within the last twenty years 

 so very apparent, that I have been induced to 

 inquire into the causes which have produced it. It 

 is mainly to be ascribed to the rearing of increased 

 numbers of cattle, for agricultural purposes; to 

 the trampling and cropping of the shrubs and 

 undergrowth by these extensive herds ; but, above 

 all, by the practice of burning the woods in spring, 

 to give these cattle more luxuriant pasturage. By 

 these causes combined, so great a change has been 

 wrought on the surface of the land, that the sports- 

 man may now dash along at half speed over a 

 country, which, but a few years back, he could not 

 traverse on horseback. "While in this way, his 

 power of intercepting the deer in their flight has 

 been greatly enlarged, it will not be denied that, 

 in the modern improvements in gunnery, his 

 means of annoyance have been immeasurably 

 increased. 



The demand which has grown up in our cities, 

 for the supply of hotels and of the private tables 

 of luxurious citizens, with venison, has called into 

 being, a race of professional hunters, who, settling 

 themselves wherever the game is abundant, and 

 cultivating merely corn enough to maintain them- 



