60 CANADIAN TURF RECOLLECTIONS 



or a two-twenty clip, there is the same easy poise, the 

 same steady hand and the quiet self-possession that not 

 only perfectly controls the animal she is driving, but 

 imparts that spirit of confidence without which, between 

 driver and horse, there can be no perfect action. 



Cruickston Park is a beautiful place at any time of the 

 year. In summer, when its towering elms and beautiful 

 maples are in full dress, its avenues and spacious tree- 

 shaded lawns are lovely rambling grounds, but on that 

 autumnal day, when I both walked and drove about the 

 estate, it had a charm equal to its summer splendor. The 

 magic wand of King Frost had painted the leaves in 

 colors more exquisite than the hand of painter ever 

 wrought or poet ever dreamed of. Purple and gold, 

 jasper and emerald hues blended the whole landscape in 

 a glowing, brilliant scene of surpassing splendor. 



Standing on the lawn close to the residence my eyes 

 took in a scene than which there is none fairer in Ontario. 

 Over one hundred feet below lies the valley of the Grand 

 River which, like a silver ribbon, winds its tortuous 

 course lakeward. There, it is a broad, deep river which, 

 if properly guarded, would afford splendid sport; the 

 gamey bass once flourished in its waters, but the despoiler 

 has worked his way unchecked, and these attractive 

 stretches have been nearly fished out. Eastward three 

 miles the lofty chimneys of Preston's many flourishing 

 mills and factories mark the sky, while to the southward 

 the town of Gait bounds the vision. Meadow lands along 

 the river bank, gently rising upland, a rich agricultural 

 district pleasant to look upon and one of the most pros- 

 perous in the Dominion. Here and there belts of timber 

 resplendent in their autumnal robes brighten the whole 

 landscape under the sun's rays with magic beauty. 

 The estate includes about 1,100 acres, and though a 

 goodly portion is under cultivation, the forest has been 

 carefully preserved so that a nobly wooded park sur- 

 rounds the residence. Black squirrels and partridges are 

 fairly numerous, but nothing in comparison with what 

 might be if the poachers would but respect the efforts 



