282 THE NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE HOUNDS. 



o-ratifying proof that their interests were well looked after 

 by the Master and the Hunt Committee. 



Althouo-h we have not the same personal knowledge of 

 what is done in this respect in other hunting countries, we 

 have every reason to believe that many other hunting 

 authorities are equally alive to the importance of dealing 

 fairly, and even generously, with the farmers in their own 

 ueiohbourhood, and we think that the farmers throughout 

 the country as a class would readily admit that, on the 

 whole, they are fairly dealt with by their Master of Fox- 

 hounds and the Hunt Committees. 



There are other ways in which the interests of the 

 agriculturist can be materially helped by the promoters of 

 fox-hunting. Every one knows that in these days farmers 

 must go in for breeding good animals, either in the way 

 of dairy stock, or horseflesh, or both, and so get their 

 names up in the prize ring, if they are to obtain good 

 prices and make farming a really profitable business. In 

 our own Hunt, the Master and the leading supporters of 

 the Hunt give an excellent fillip to this up-to-date move- 

 ment by providing (as we have elsewhere mentioned) 

 substantial prizes both for dairy stock and horses at the 

 annual show held at Trentham each summer, at the same 

 time as the puppy judging. These prizes produce keen 

 competition every year, and it is noteworthy that the 

 winners at Trentham often carry off prizes for the same 

 animals at the larger shows outside the area of the North 

 Staifordshire Hunt. This annual function, combining with 

 the show a pleasant picnic in the park, and winding up 

 with a convivial champagne luncheon, to which the farmers 

 are invited, at which the Duke presides, and which is 

 usually graced with the presence of the Duchess and the 

 ladies of the house party, is a most enjoyable gala day, 

 and does much to add to the popularity of the Hunt with 

 the tenant farmers. 



Then, again, much may be done by the M.F.H. in 

 any country to help the farmers in the way of horse- 

 l)reeding by providing a sire for the use of mares belong- 



