4 The Hunting Countries of England. 



to grass of one kind or another. Its coverts are 

 chiefly natural_, though several nice new gorses have 

 lately been planted in the low ground to the east. 

 The frequency and propinquity of the coverts in many 

 parts of the country make killing a fox often a 

 matter of difficulty — though this is a difficulty that 

 may arise anywhere from the blessing of plenty of 

 foxes. 



The fences of the country by no means come under 

 any single classification ; but can best be alluded to 

 in touching upon the various districts. It seems to 

 uSj however^ that all over Yorkshire a habit exists of 

 digging the ditches very wide and deep. 



The country naturally divides itself into four 

 sections, differing considerably in soil,, surface^ and 

 character generally. 



First, the east, or '^ low country/^ is wild, flat, half- 

 drained, in parts nearly all rough grass (especially 

 about Fishlake) — with unkempt ragged fences and 

 ditches that are never cleaned or cared for. More 

 sport is seen here than in any other part of the Bads- 

 worth territory, for there is generally a capital scent 

 and the foxes are stout and straight. Here and there 

 a big open drain is met with — putting a strong test 

 upon horse and rider. Still, a clean-cut drain is 

 often a pleasanter fence than a brook two feet less in 

 breadth. For, while the former declares itself 

 honestly and throws down a fair challenge to a 

 horse's jumping power, the latter not only varies 

 in width every few yards, but its banks are often 

 treacherous, rotten or shelving. The one you caD 

 ride at knowing that if you can clear a certain 



