THE FARMER 1(37 



largely; but what the iofia Jide Farmer gets is seldom more 

 than the mere market price, with the accommodation, perhaps, 

 of a near, instead of a distant delivery for his produce. 



As to selling horses to advantage, that is a point involving 

 so many contingencies, that we fear even the most sanguine 

 dare hardly look the matter fairly in the face. Good stock, 

 good luck, good keeping, good handling, and though last, not 

 least, good riding. The only way we think that breeding can 

 pay is where the breeder hunts himself, and can show his 

 horse off to advantage. Even then a great deal depends upon 

 whim and caprice. One man can sell anything, and get 

 almost any price, while people will hardly look at the horse 

 of another. The riding is, perhaps, the most important point, 

 and there are not many men with both the nags and the 

 nerves equal to the task. 



Taking the average of countries, we believe it will be found 

 that a Farmer is generally the best man in the majority of 

 hunts— either a Farmer or a parson, though rigid discipline 

 has thinned the ranks of the latter. A Farmer, however, is 

 generally the best man, and, in stating this, it must be 

 remembered that they generally give a good deal away by 

 riding unmade and oftentimes moderately-conditioned horses. 



" Upon the w-h-o-o-l-e," as Farmer Wopstraw says in 

 " Hillingdon Hall," we are inclined to think if it were not 

 for the innate, national inclination for hunting implanted in 

 Britons, Farmers would find the preservation of fo.xes and the 

 promotion of hunting a very poor speculation for anything they 

 can get by it in the way of money. 



The importance of standing well with the Farmers is a 

 matter so perfectly understood by all Masters of Foxhounds, 

 as to require no enforcement at our hands. Ifa Master has 

 not the goodwill and support of the Farmers, he need never 

 attempt to hunt a country. Farmers have always been 

 considered worthy the regard and attentions of all authorities 



