250 FENCES, COUNTRY AND GATES. 



place when no hawthorn bushes are present (Fig. no). 

 Their difficulty of negotiation is naturally increased 

 by the presence of a ditch on the taking off or land- 

 ing side, as in Fig. in. As a rule, they are about 

 2 feet 6 inches hiph. A not uncommon form of posts 

 and rails is a Midland stile (Fig. 112). A familiar 

 combination of a hedge and posts and rails is an oxer 

 (Fig. 113). The gap in this illustration has been 

 repaired by wire, and I am much indebted to the ox 

 who kindly allowed us to take his portrait, as well as 

 the fence which owes its name to his family. 



Although the Whissendine is a prominent feature of 

 the Cottesmore country near Stapleford Park, I need 

 not dwell upon brooks as a form of hunting obstacle 

 in the Shires, for they are seldom jumped ; not from 

 faintheartedness on the part of riders, but because 

 the ground on the taking-off or landing side is often 

 treacherous, and the presence of posts and rails or wire 

 on one or both of the banks is a frequent occurrence. 

 Also, the width of these brooks and bottoms varies 

 greatly according to the amount of rainfall. People 

 whose experience of leaping is limited to that of fences 

 on firm and level ground, like those in a jumping 

 competition, are naturally apt to overlook the severe 

 manner in w^hich a hunter is handicapped when coming 

 up to an unknown fence, after a long and fast run 

 through heavy, rough and hilly ground. 



Wire (Fig. 114) is terribly common in some parts 

 of the Shires, and often makes any attempt to ride 

 straight impossible. In countries where it is prevalent, 



