The Tynedale. 4>^S 



localities, where their top-twigs have been trimmed 

 annually. The fences of the Stamfordham district 

 also vary a good deal_, especially where this side 

 begins to merge into the western. Stone walls 

 appear by degrees ; double ditches are frequent ; and 

 banks are common. And this is the side most in 

 favour with the members of the Hunt ; for here they 

 can ride with hounds all day and be present at all that 

 goes on. The whole of the Tynedale may be said 

 to be good scenting-country ; and this, the open 

 ground, is well-favoured in this respect. Foxes are 

 not only well preserved and sufficiently plentiful ; but, 

 being a mixture between the native-hill breed and 

 Scotch importation of some years ago, are very stout 

 travellers, and very long runs have been registered 

 during the last few seasons. Many of the Newcastle 

 division of the field keep their horses at Stamford- 

 ham, and the Master himself finds it convenient to 

 lodge a couple there for his own riding. It is in this 

 neighbourhood that by far the largest attendance 

 prevails. 



So far we have been speaking only of the higher 

 ground of the Tynedale. The third division, the 

 valley of the Tyne — or Tyneside — is lighter soil. 

 From its woods, which are individually small and 

 in which foxes never hang long, the upper country is 

 very soon reached, and a run may carry you any- 

 where. 



Fourthly and lastly, across the Tyne is a rough 

 deep woodland strip — most useful for cub hunting 

 and spring hunting and for disciplinary purposes at 

 all times — and touching on an indefinite area of hill 



