242 The Hunting Countries of England. 



Western Railway takes advantage, and which contains 

 a better proportion of grass than is to be found else- 

 where. 



The strongest champion of the South Herefordshire 

 will scarcely proclaim it to be a fine scenting country. 

 Most of it — especially on the hills — is a heavy clay 

 soil, carrying usually a weak and indifferent scent. 

 On the grass, where it occurs, hounds have always a 

 better chance ; but there is a greal deal more tillage 

 than turf throughout the country. The southern 

 plain, best known as the Trebandy Vale, is the most 

 favourite hunting ground. It requires a good deal of 

 wet to show it to advantage, and then hounds 

 frequently run well over a deep and strongly fenced 

 flat, where only a small covert or two is to be met for 

 some miles. The hedges are not of an unbending, 

 turnover, class ; but they are closely placed and 

 strongly grown, all over the lower country, and seldom 

 fail to have the protection of a ditch of respectable 

 dimensions. A horse taught over Herefordshire is 

 pretty sure to be able to take care of himself any- 

 where — even though he need not necessarily be 

 imbued with the dash and stride to make him a first- 

 flight hunter in the midlands. Yet that he could not 

 well be educated in a better school has been shown by 

 many a Herefordshire-bred horse, when transplanted to 

 '^ fresh fields and pastures new.''^ He has here every 

 necessity and every variety of jumping ; every oppor- 

 tunity of learning; and little reason, if properly 

 ridden, to maim or frighten himself. The same thorn- 

 and-hazel hedges ; timber, in odd corners, in gaps and 

 footways; occasional brooks, intricate dingles — these. 



