i8 2 THE KEEPERS BOOK 



cally 2 ft. above the surface of the moor. The old- 

 fashioned high- walled " batteries " should be in general 

 discarded. The best way to construct a butt is to dig 

 a hole in the ground with a diameter of some 5 ft. 

 at the^bottom and 6 ft. across the top. The "gun," 

 in standing in the hole, should be just able to see and 

 shoot over the slight parapet at the top, which should 

 be almost flush with the moor, and never more than 

 2 ft. above its level, the outside being so arranged with 

 heather turf as to slope gently up to the mouth of the 

 butt. It may be useful, for the sake of firmness, to line 

 the inside of the butt with wire-netting, and also the 

 outside of the slightly elevated portion above the level 

 of the moor. In the latter case the netting should not 

 be exposed to view, but may be covered with a layer 

 of heather-covered earth. About a foot in front of the 

 butt a drain may be cut, which, if not too conspicuous, 

 may be left open, or it may be covered carefully, so as 

 to maintain its capacity as a drain. The draining of 

 the butt itself is of importance. An opening in the butt 

 with a drain which leads to a lower level than the floor 

 of the butt will answer the purpose. The floor of the 

 butt should be covered with wood. This ensures a 

 fairly dry base for the shooter and his loader to stand 

 upon. A board of wood supported on two posts as a 

 seat at one side of the butt is also advisable. A stake 

 may be inserted to tether a retriever. 



(7) Butts should be well built, well drained, well in 

 line, and kept in good repair. On no account must a 



