Practical Game-Preserving. 56 



number of separate beats, then it is very necessary that 

 separate rearing-fields should be provided for each beat. 



The ground chosen for the purpose should be, if 

 possible, a thoroughly sound and fruitful pasture, quick- 

 growing, but not rank, in which grasses of free seed- 

 bearing character predominate, together with good clovers. 

 Any sound, well-drained soil, except a clayey one, will 

 serve, and the ground should face, not necessarily slope 

 severely towards, the south-south-west or even towards the 

 west. It is an advantage, a very great one, if it be well 

 sheltered from the north, but it should be open to receive 

 the early morning sunshine, without being unduly exposed 

 to the east. Good, sound, clean-cut, well-kept hedges 

 should surround it, and there is no objection to on the con- 

 trary, there is an advantage in one of the coverts form- 

 ing a portion of the boundary of the field, provided always 

 that the covert in question does not shelter vermin or offer 

 them a point of vantage from which to make inroads upon 

 the ranks of the young pheasant chicks. The field or fields, 

 moreover, should be of such conformation as to render it 

 possible to watch every square yard of them from one point 

 of observation. If a single field of sufficient dimensions 

 cannot be secured, then two or more adjoining ones may 

 be brought into requisition. 



Provided the ground chosen be thoroughly sound and 

 productive, it may be employed for the same purpose 

 in consecutive seasons, but in any case it should be 

 mown all over after the birds have been removed, be then 

 harrowed, and at the proper time be dressed with a thin 

 covering of earth and lime, mixed, in the proportion of 

 three to one. It must be chain-harrowed again in the 

 spring, and twice rolled in cross- wise directions. There 

 should be if possible no ditches alongside the hedgerows ; 

 but if such exist, either wire netting must be run along the 



