46 THE GAMEKEEPER AT HOME. 



Again, there are large properties, copyhold, or held 

 under long leases from corporate bodies, the tenants having 

 the right to shoot. Instead of exercising the power them- 

 selves, they let the shooting. It consists mainly of part- 

 ridges, hares, and rabbits ; and one of their men looks after 

 the game, combining the keeping a general watch with 

 other duties. Professional men and gentlemen of inde- 

 pendent income residing in county towns frequently take 

 shooting of this kind. The farmers who farm their own 

 land often make money of their game in the same way. 



Gentlemen, too, combine and lease the shooting over 

 wide areas, and of course find it necessary to employ 

 keepers to look after their interests. The upper class of 

 tradesmen in county and provincial towns where any 

 facilities exist now sometimes form a private club or party 

 and rent the shooting over several farms, having a joint- 

 stock interest in one or more keepers. Poor land which 

 used to be of very little value has, by the planting of 

 covers and copses, and the erection of a cottage for the 

 keeper and a small ' box ' for temporary occupation, in 

 many cases been found to pay well if easily accessible from 

 towns. Game, in short, was never so much sought after 

 as at present ; and the profession of gamekeeping is in no 

 danger of falling into decay from lack of demand for the 

 skill in woodcraft it implies. 



