HUNTING IN AMEKICA. 187 



Island, are as distinct as possible from trots. 

 The courses are made circular ; as much so,, 

 at least, as the lie of the land will permit, 

 and are beautifully constructed, the grading 

 being especially attended to. They are 

 generally enclosed by a very high boarded 

 fence, an admission fee being charged at the 

 opening. This arrangement is found to 

 answer admirably, as the amount demanded — 

 although not an extravagant one — is sufficient 

 to exclude a goodly number of racing roughs, 

 whose interest in the sport is not more keen 

 than their desire to investigate the contents of 

 their neighbours' pockets. 



Trotting-tracks are constructed upon the 

 same principles as race-courses, but the track 

 is harder. Sometimes, however, although not 

 frequently, races and trots are held over the 

 same course, and when this is done the track 

 is carefully softened for the races, by a harrow- 

 ing process, which is most carefully carried 

 out. 



Most of the hacks and hunters in use in 

 America — a very large portion, at least, of the 

 saddle-horses — are racers which have been 



