The South Staffordshire, 249 



hereafter), is pretty level ; and, though almost all 

 plough, is good riding. Almost the only heavy 

 ground is the Black Slough district — the remainder 

 of that part of the country borrowed from The 

 Meynell, and just north of Lichfield. This is flat and 

 often very deep ; and takes some getting over, though 

 rideable enough everywhere. It is quite open, and 

 carries a better scent than the rest of the country. 

 There are some nice coverts scattered about, though 

 there are no large woods. About Alrewas, for 

 instance, there is Alrewas Hay and Brook Hay, &c. 

 (the property of Lord Lichfield) ; and at Blmhurst 

 (recently bought by Mr. Fox, the noted shorthorn 

 breeder) is a very useful covert called Tom Hay. 

 Good sport is to be had in this neighbourhood ; and 

 foxes are wild and strong, as they are everywhere in 

 the South Stafi'ordshire Country. 



South of Lichfield is the territory lent by the 

 Atherstone — sporting ground, with ample but very 

 manageable coverts and plenty of foxes. The soil is 

 light ; the fences are very pretty riding ; and on a 

 good scenting day you may swing along for miles, 

 taking everything as it comes. The fences are easy 

 brush hedges, of thorn that is trimmed as it grows. 

 Very often there is no ditch ; and seldom is there a 

 very formidable one. Timber is very little used ; 

 and brooks are rarely encountered. From Barr to 

 Aston, across the flat, ofi'ers a very fair sample of a 

 ride with The South StaSbrdshire. As already stated, 

 theirs is not a consistently good scenting country ; 

 but when they have a scent at all, it is generally a 

 fierce one, on which hounds can run like wildfire. 



