PREFACE xiii 



ever become popular in Great Britain, or if it can ever 

 employ a great number of men. That planting in- 

 creases fertility of the soil, and is necessary for shelter, 

 there can be no doubt. Most proprietors, if only for 

 game shelter purposes, should encourage planting on 

 their properties, and should assist the movement by 

 joining the Landowners' Co-operation, of which John 

 D. Sutherland, factor, Oban, is secretary. The 

 annual subscription is two guineas. 



I am unwilling to refer to politics in a book which 

 deals entirely with sport, but in these socialistic times, 

 when the State dominates our existence, curtails our 

 liberties, and makes us mere slaves, cannot refrain 

 from expressing how necessary it is that landowners 

 and others interested in sport should take a sensible 

 view, and interest themselves in local affairs, and 

 thus create a better understanding with their neigh- 

 bours. This will help to remove the present bad 

 feeling. 



Landowners are surprised at the socialistic ideas 

 expressed by the people, and the unfair attitude shown 

 towards property ; but they have themselves to blame ; 

 and the views held by the people, whether real or 

 assumed, have grown owing to the neglect of the land- 

 owning class. Much of the discontent in the country 

 arises from the poor condition existing in agriculture, 

 and low prices, resulting from the free importation 

 of foreign produce. Country people not understand- 

 ing this, and townspeople looking to their own in- 



