132 THE NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE HOUNDS. 



by Draycot Woods, and up to Stallington Heath, and stopped hounds. Poison 

 put down there. Found a fox in Spot Gorse. Ran by the Bird-in-Hand and on 

 to Fradswell, and round to Milwich village, and lost him. 



" February 0th, 1885. Woore. — Found in Canridden. Ran fast to Bellaport, 

 and killed. Found again at Bellaport, and lost hira. Found a third fox at 

 College Field Drumble — a bad fox ; killed him. Found another in Harrow's 

 Wood. Ran a ring to ground. Found again in Finson's Hay Gorse. Ran very 

 fast right away to Maer Hills, and on to Chorlton Moss to ground ; bolted and 

 killed him. Three f oxen in the earth. 



" February \Uh, 1885. BlackbrooJc. — Found on Maer Hills. Ran a ring to 

 ground ; got him out and killed him. Got on another, and ran to Woore, and lost. 

 Went back, drew Bromley Coppice, and found. Ran to Broughton Birches, Burnt 

 Woods, Cheswardine, and on into Bishop's Woods, and killed him in the middle. 

 A good day. 



" February llth, 1885. Walton Hall. — Drew Walton Gorse and Spinnies 

 blank, and Wincote Wood, but found in Mr. Lyon's covert at Johnson, and ran 

 in a figure of eight for two hours and thirty-seven minutes round Knighton, 

 Offley, Eccleshall, Norton Bridge, etc., and killed him at Chebsey. A good run. 



" February 27th, 1885. Wrinehill Mill— First drew Betley. Found in the 

 gorse. Ran by Cradock Moss to the Gladdings, back to Wrenches Wood and 

 Betley, and back to Madeley and the Gladdings, and on to Hayes Wood, and 

 killed him. Two hours and ten minutes. 



''March 21st, 1885. Swynnerton Old Par/c— Found in Old Park. Ran 

 round a time or two, and at last got on a good fox in Harley Thorn. Ran to 

 Tittensor Commou, down over river and over Downs Banks, through Kibblestone 

 Gorse, and killed at Moddershall. One hour and ten minutes. Came back to 

 Hanchurch Plantation ; found. Ran a ring, and lost in Trentham Wood. 



" March 30th, 1885. TFoore.— Drew Mill Hay first. Found, and ran fast to 

 Doddington, and on by Walgherton Lodge to Hankelow, and killed in the river 

 Weaver in the Cheshire country. Found a second at Buerton Gorse. Ran a 

 good ring to gi'ound in a drain at the Lodge Farm, Audlera. A good day. Best 

 scent of the season. 



'^ April 2nd, 1885. Ashley Village. — Found our first fox on Ashley Heath. 

 Ran very fast to Maer Hall to ground ; got him out and killed. Found a second 

 at Broughton Park. Ran a wide ring by Chatcull, Bromley, Ashley village, 

 Broughton Birches, back by Bromley Coppice to Maer Hall, and killed on Beny 

 Hill, Maer. One hour and fifteen minutes. P.S. — Got a bad fall at Wellings. 

 Jumped in a rabbit-hole." 



Apparently the fall had no serious results, for we 

 find Dickins was out again with his hounds as usual on 

 April 4th. The season ended on April I7th with an 

 average day's sport, the meet being Heighley Castle. 

 Record for the season, eighty-three foxes killed, fifty run 

 to ground. One hundred and three days' hunting. A 

 very fair season indeed. 



The regular season of 1885-86 opened well, with some 

 good runs in November and December. The following 



