348 EMPLOYMENT OF THE DOG IN HUNTING, ETC. 



ground properly, and to appoint a proper person to slip the 

 greyhounds, and then everything is en rigle. 



In beating the ground, when there are no gentlemen present 

 on horseback, five or six beaters must be provided, whose task is 

 somewhat onerous, if there is much ploughed land, especially in 

 clay districts when wet. In any case a line should be formed, 

 with one person at every twenty yards, and then walking abreast 

 from one extremity of the field to the other, so as either to find 

 the hare sitting, or to put her up from her form. The proper 

 direction of this line of beaters, so as to drive the hare in the best 

 direction, requires some considerable experience and tact. Thus, 

 when there is a covert near, the beat should be from, it, so as to 

 compel the hare to go in the opposite direction, by which a suffi- 

 ciently long course is often insured, whereas otherwise she would 

 be safe before she was well reached. At the end of this beat the 

 men should return over the beaten ground, taking what is called 

 a " dead beat," and then again beating from covert. When the 

 part of a field is beaten near the hedge, the line on that side 

 should be extended forwards ; and, if there is a horseman present 

 he should walk up close to the hedge, thirty yards in front of the 

 others, so as to prevent the hare at once running through it. Hares 

 may often be driven out of turnips, clover, or small coverts, by a 

 line of beaters driving them towards the dogs, which are held at 

 a particular spot, and kept as much as possible out of sight. The 

 slipper uses the same kind of slips as are adopted in public 

 coursing, and slips his dogs in the same way, adapting the length 

 of the slip allowed to the nature of the ground. It is a very bad 

 plan to let the greyhounds run loose while the hare is looked for, 

 as the two rarely start on even terms, and consequently they can- 

 not be compared together. Unless, therefore, coursing is pursued 

 solely to get the hare, slips are indispensable. • 



