The Burton and the Blankney. 51 



have the Green Man Coverts, Bartholomew's Gorse, 

 and the Ashby Coverts (the latter being on the 

 borders of the low ground) ; while, further west, are 

 the coverts of Temple Bruer and Griffin^s (in the 

 centre of the Heath). 



In the eastern vale you will ride for the most part 

 over plough, with here and there some grass to 

 stretch your horse. Bound Digby is steam plough, 

 and much of it. Round Blankney the farmers have 

 been content to keep the grass intact (and this year, 

 if ever, they should believe that the shorthorn will 

 repay them rather than the ploughshare). As is 

 right, they build their fences frequent, stiff, and 

 honest, and they like to see hounds leading quickly 

 over them. 



Below Lincoln the Heath spreads out fan-shaped, 

 till at Temple Bruer it is about its widest. Light 

 plough, stone walls, and no ditches are among its 

 characteristics, to which may be added the fact that, 

 with a real scent, hounds can beat horses over it. 

 This is more likely to happen when after rain the 

 ground has become holding even here. In such case 

 horses are hampered, while hounds can go their best, 

 flying the walls as they come, without a moment's 

 stoppage. Then indeed you want blood under you — 

 as you have highest blood racing before you. Yet, 

 taking months and years throughout, the Heath is 

 not a great scenting country. 



But Saturday is par excellence the day of the 

 Blankney. Keep your best horse for it; and smoke 

 one less cigar over night than is your rule. For the 

 meet will surely be for the Wellingore Vale; and 



E 2 



