SPRING 



THE position of a gamekeeper in England is a 

 curious one. Admittedly he is among the most 



skilled and highly trained workers of the 

 The country-side. His intimate knowledge of 



Lot wild life commands respect. Often he is 



much more than a careful and successful 

 preserver of game a thoroughly good sportsman, 

 a fine shot. His work carries heavy responsibility ; 

 as whether a large expenditure on a shooting pro- 

 perty brings good returns and on him depends the 

 pleasure of many a sporting party. On large estates 

 he is an important personage important to the 

 estate owner, to the hunt, to the farm bailiff, and to 

 a host of satellites. His value is proved by the many 

 important side-issues of his work dog-breeding 

 and dog-breaking, or the breaking of young gentle- 

 men to gun work. Yet, in spite of the honourable 

 and onerous nature of his calling, he is paid in cash 

 about the same wage as a ploughman. 



The actual wages of a first-class gamekeeper may be 

 no more than a pound a week. A system has sprung 



