174 PHEASANTS 



Good under-cover must first suit the 

 soil and situation or it will never repay 

 the trouble of planting ; it must be of 

 quick growth and rapidly spreading habit ; 

 to some extent it must be tolerant of 

 shade and drip, and when once established 

 should be able to hold its own with the 

 rabbit. It must give dry shelter to game 

 in late winter, for which reason such plants 

 as the common bracken, which looks 

 splendid cover in autumn, but is laid flat 

 later by rain and wind, must be ruled 

 out of count as unworthy of extensive 

 cultivation, although in small patches 

 it is undoubtedly attractive to game. 

 Lastly comes the question of cost, and no 

 plant that cannot be bought or reared in 

 the estate nurseries at less than 50s. a 

 thousand, can be considered of any 

 practical value. 



In a recent article which found place 

 in the columns of a leading newspaper, 

 the writer dwelt on the common neglect 

 of the beautiful in planting cover for game, 

 and urged that a double purpose might be 



