26 THE KEEPER'S BOOK 



that there is no need for him to further emphasise the 

 antagonism of class to class. 



Let it be said, not for the first time, that on all occa- 

 sions when the help of farm hands is called in for the 

 purposes of sport, the keeper should, where such is 

 needed, give the master a gentle hint as to the advis- 

 ability of ministering well to the stomachs of these tem- 

 porary employees. Irish stew or hot-pot with a little 

 "fat ale" does not cost much, and at most would be 

 but a drop in the bucket of shooting expenses. 



Even in shootings where farm hands are not en- 

 gaged, much valuable information may be at the dis- 

 posal of the farm servant, and this is likely to be given 

 or withheld in proportion to the popularity of the master, 

 but more particularly of the keeper. Where an amicable 

 feeling exists on all sides, sport is robbed of many of its 

 handicaps. Good relations with the farmer may lead 

 to the latter acquiescing in the desire that he should 

 cut his corn towards the cover, so as to keep the birds 

 upon the sportsman's ground. On the other hand, 

 enmity will in all likelihood deter him from assisting the 

 keeper, for example, by leaving a strip of uncut corn 

 in the middle of a field so that he may drive out the 

 game that remain in it before the reaping be finished. 



A good understanding with the farmer may also 

 checkmate the poaching facilities of his underlings. 

 Despite his powers under the Ground Game Act, hares 

 and rabbits will not be overshot, and orders may be 

 given that the driver of the mowing machine should 



