THE FARMERS' BOOK 193 



ia K. Walker's hand except No. 16, which is initialed H. S. G. — 

 F. C. K. 



9 (^vide 7). I got tickets from the Athenajum Club ^ for farmers' 

 luncheon in the Athenaeum tent at Cottenham for 2s. 6d. apiece. 



10. Ditto, ditto for nothing. 



11. See that every farmer gets a card. It does not cost much, 

 and they think a great deal of it. Be especially careful to see that 

 all sheep farmers get a card, and notice if you have a bye meet. 



12. When you get to know the farmers you can ask them if 

 notice that you are coming will be sufficient without writing for 

 leave. 



13. Take the bad country in its turn with the best. The farmers 

 think themselves slighted if you always go to the " fen country." 



14. Go regularly to the Corn Exchange. 



15. If possible get one or two farmers to lunch every Saturday. 



16. It is better than either 7, 9, or 10 for Masters of the Drag, 

 Harriers, and Beagles to give a separate lunch between them for all 

 farmers at Cottenham. 



The Corn Exchange rule is a tradition which goes hack to Foot 

 Drag days. No. 13 is most important. It is, of course, a kindness 

 for the farmers to allow us on their land, but it is also in many 

 cases a great pleasure. There are many who accept hospitality from 

 no sponging motive but from a most wholesome love of good fellow- 

 ship, and who are still better pleased at a chance of dispensing it. I 

 had charge of a fen parish, Manea, in the winter of W. H. Wiggin's 

 Mastership, and the beagles came to us twice. I need not say that 

 to myself they were red-letter days in a very quiet winter, but the 

 farmers who came out were delighted. One of them hoped they 

 would come again whether I were there or not, and asked what fee 

 was charged for the sport provided ! 



There is a Rule 17, but goodness knows what it is doing in this 

 galley ; it relates to ordering tea at the inn on driving days after 

 hunting. 



Come we now to the notes on the various meets and on the 



1 In Trinity Street, not Pall Mall. 







