THE APPRENTICE KEEPER 147 



matters in a practical way, he has laid a better founda- 

 tion for his position as keeper than if his knowledge were 

 only based on observation and theory. Let him have 

 an accurate knowledge of the use of the spade, the saw, 

 the hammer, long before he knows the use of a gun. 



The third part of his training should be concerned 

 with the " engines " of sport, with the construction and 

 use of snares, traps, and nets, and, finally, of guns. He 

 must not only see the former set by others, but he must 

 be allowed to set them himself ; great care being taken 

 that he understands the why and wherefore of his pro- 

 cedure, and to see that he proceeds, not from theory or 

 imitation merely, but from his knowledge of the habits 

 and habitats of game. 



While he is learning these branches of his craft, he 

 will, of course, be out with the guns, acting as beater, 

 driver, stop, flank, or marker, and thus slowly accumu- 

 lating valuable knowledge as to the questions of finding 

 birds and bringing them to the guns. 



At this stage the present book, it is hoped, will be 

 intelligible to him, and he will be well on the road to 

 become a qualified keeper. 



