248 The Hunting Countries of England, 



light and gravelly calls for a great deal of wet to 

 make it carry a scent consistently. But foxes approve 

 thoroughly of a wild tract, where they are not only 

 left alone and encouraged, but where they can readily 

 turn any rabbit hole into a breeding earth. This very 

 iacility to them is a proportionate difficulty to those 

 who undertake their pursuit ; for complete and 

 effectual earthstopping is almost out of the question 

 — though Mr. Martin, the head forester of Beau- 

 desert, works most energetically over the whole 

 district to get the subject mastered. In spite of all 

 his efforts, as many as six foxes have been run to 

 ground in a day on the Chase — in almost all instances 

 in earths previously undiscovered. Many a good 

 gallop, however, is to be seen there ; and a horse 

 accustomed to it learns wonderfully how to keep his 

 feet clear of the traps underfoot. A pet playground 

 of Boreas is Cannock Chase ; and, with a scent or 

 without, he can drive across it with a vigour that has 

 to be felt to be appreciated. 



Though the Chase has little coverfc, beyond heather, 

 on its hilly surface, there are plenty of large woods 

 just below on every side — notably those of Beaudesert, 

 Wolseley (Sir Charles Wolseley^s), Shugborough, 

 Teddesley (Lord Hatherton^s), and Hatherton (also 

 the property of Lord Hatherton, but occupied by 

 Sir C. Clifford). And these coverts are probably 

 much better for cubhunting than the Chase itself, on 

 which a cub will travel for miles as gaily as an old 

 fox. 



The rest of the South Staffordshire Country, with 

 the single exception of the Weeford Hills (of which 



