256 The Hunting Countries of England. 



Woore — is entirely what we are accustomed to look 

 upon as Cheshire type, viz., dairy farms, small in- 

 closures, level ground, deep soil, and fair hedge-and- 

 ditch fences (sometimes with the hedge set on a low 

 bank). Without there being any distinction, there is 

 this little difference in the fences as you ride into 

 North Staffordshire — High farming seems to grow 

 out of fashion, hedges are less neatly kept, and 

 ditches are more seldom cleaned out. But, if the 

 hedges are ragged and the ditches are blind, they 

 present no essential change ; aud the same horse that 

 carries you with The Cheshire or Sir Watkin should do 

 equally well with The North Staffordshire — though 

 both he and his rider may be called upon to exercise 

 discretion and discernment in an even fuller degree 

 with the last named. Most of this district, indeed, 

 belongs to the counties of Chester and Salop ; and the 

 same fine scenting grass, the same constant jumping 

 in and out, the same deep soil, the same bursting 

 gallops, and the same large fields of competing horse- 

 men, may be expected to prevail with the North 

 Staffordshire as with the other two packs. A 

 quick active horse that will take his fences 

 steadily, and that does not easily tire — sum- 

 marises briefly what has already been noted at 

 length as a desirable mount for such country. Water 

 is not so frequently offering itself here as over the 

 border, though it is certainly necessary that a horse 

 should be ready to face it. Timber he will not often be 

 called upon to surmount, for the double reason that it 

 IS not by any means lavishly used, and that when met 

 with it is easily and, it may almost be said usually 



