3i8 FOX-HUNTING IN THE SHIRES 



but it is there, and should be carefully considered 

 by those who have the most influence, the masters, 

 the secretaries, and the hunt committees. Nothing 

 would be more fatal now than to take short views. 



There is one point already alluded to, and that is 

 the question of poultry funds, but as a matter of 

 fact there can be very little wanting in that matter 

 in the Shires, for the sums paid show that hunt 

 secretaries and committees, in the Shires at least, 

 have thoroughly grasped the increased value of 

 poultry and the importance of it as a cottage in- 

 dustry. 



On the whole there is perhaps not more opposition 

 to hunting than there has always been, but in these 

 days the opponents are neither so silent nor so iso- 

 lated as they were, and they can and do combine to 

 a certain extent. The remedy is in our own hands 

 by close alliance with and support of the farmers, 

 and even more by the thousand and one courtesies 

 and acts of neighbourly kindness which go far to 

 make up the charm of country life. 



