6 TEN YEARS OF GAME-KEEPING 
ventionality. Another reason for suggesting an 
apprenticeship on a game-farm is that a man can 
learn thereon in the quickest way the art—and the 
drudgery—of pheasant-rearing; and in these days 
of gluttonous shooting a knowledge of the ‘hand- 
rearing of pheasants is indispensable to a game- 
keeper's education. Look at the advertisements 
of keepers seeking berths. In nine cases out of 
ten you will see words to this effect : ‘ Thoroughly 
experienced in the management of aviaries and the 
rearing of pheasants,’ If a man who applied for a 
post were known to be well up in other branches 
of a keéeper’s craft, but lacked knowledge of 
pheasant-rearing, what would be his chance of 
getting the ordinary berth ? Pheasant-rearing, after 
allis said and done, means only an advanced know- 
ledge of chicken-rearing. But it is in his other 
duties that a keeper has the best opportunity to 
show skill, judgment, tact, power of observation, 
and ability to organize and to lead—the likely fruits 
of a good education. 
A head-keeper has far more responsibility than 
most people imagine. Naturally, he expects to bear 
the blame for his own mistakes; but, as a matter 
of ‘fact, he is held responsible for the negligence, 
stupidity, carelessness, or ignorance of his subordi- 
nates, and even of his employer. The conduct of 
his first shooting-party, as commander-in-chief, is 
an ordeal by fire, and many a keeper could testify 
