SMALL FREEHOLDERS 277 



chance for hini where every peasant pro- 

 prietor is an amateur gamekeeper, as this 

 system makes him. Some years ago the 

 writer had brouoht to his knowledore the case 

 of a peasant in Germany who had shot a 

 hare on a communal shooting. Although 

 the rent received by this commune was only 

 something like three pounds, which went 

 into the parish funds, there was not the 

 slightest sympathy shown with the poacher, 

 who, by the way, was reported to the author- 

 ities by a neighbour. In suggesting a limit 

 of a hundred acres, I should point out that it 

 might be permissible for any landowner to 

 hand over shooting in the parish to the 

 council to any extent, and no doubt many 

 would avail themselves of such a permissive 

 clause. One hundred acres seems to me a 

 good minimum, but on this point I am open to 



