PRACTICAL 

 GAME-PRESERVING 



INTRODUCTORY. 



GAME-PRESERVING as we know it to-day has almost 

 attained to the dignity of a science. The haphazard 

 methods surrounded by a fictitious mystery which prevailed 

 to within half a century ago have given place to care- 

 fully organised system, in which every detail is thought 

 out, every eventuality provided for, so that the semi- 

 artificial state which is set up may be productive and 

 permanent. Wherever what we know as the balance of 

 Nature is interfered with, influences will be produced or 

 magnified which must be combated or controlled. The 

 fact that close preservation of game does upset this balance 

 must be clear to everyone. It consequently follows that to 

 ensure success in operations of this kind nothing must be 

 left to chance : every development involving an increased 

 supply of game must be considered from all points of 

 view. Thus it arises that not only must the modern 

 gamekeeper be fully competent in every branch of his 

 work, but that the preserver who is his master must also 

 possess complete knowledge of the general conditions 

 which govern it. 



