The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1876-09-05 00:00:00

"THE
_FIRST."

The First of September Is -ig-vr-iis a great clay with
aportensen, and holds even a higher position in
popular esteem than the Twelfth of August. This
year certainly forms no exception to the rule, and
thousands, by this time, have walked many miles
over the stubble and among the turnip's with a view
to secure a good bag before the sun goes down.
From all accounts it would seem that the birds are
tolerably plentiful, notwithstanding the severity of
the weather during the early part of the year, and
the great heat which prevailed in July and the first
fortnight of August. Partridges, under the system
of high (arming, flourish very much better than
might have been expected. They thrive in the Tenz
and large coveys abound where hedgerows are few and
hut little shelter is to be found. In such districts, as
for instance in Norfolk, the birds are wild, and
extremely difficult to get at. Both men and dogs get
very tired by the time they make for the ono' and
shady nook in which luncheon may be found. Other
localities, where agriculture is not so well understood
as • science, and in whieh there remains a deeply.
rooted' foulness for the practices common in " good
old times," are more favourable to sportsmen who are
not in fair training, and who like to surprise coveys
In a way which precludes the iimeibility of the
entire escape beyond the range of breech.
loaderr. But a elm° country has its draw.
becks. The COI eyA when file/bed Feelll get out of
sight, and to be unseen is more advantageous to the
hirds than is be merely beyond range. In the open
they cannot well hida themselves, and when they take
to the barrows the sportsmen and the dogs know well
where they are, and can scarcely fail to go in the
wrong direction. Fortunately rain fell on several
flays during the last fortnight of August, and both
turnips and mangold wurtsel are now beginning to
spread out their leaves. The birds oil!, therefore,
have smne sort of shelter, and sportsmen will find less
Aiffieulty than otherwise would have been the case in
keeping up with them. It is improbable that in the
midland and southern onanties there is very notch
corn standing, lost where wheat and barley are left
uncut, which may possibly lie the case to some
extent in the north, the binls will nut be readily
got at without loss to the farmers.. As a nale,
objections are naturally raised to the trampling
down of crops. Evan where they are not heavy
the reason for carefully preserving what there is
iiduces tenants to watch any interference with their
rights with a jealous eye. There i.. also less stubble
than was formerly the case and in consequence of
the noire perfect system of drainage which obtains the
Imo! (luring periods (if drought is harder than it was ,
wont to be, and more tiring to those who walk over
IL But the thews and sinews 14 Ellglll4lMell are still
espial to any amount of exercise, and as people who
DOW-111 days ell the First are perhaps more seen.
✓ite shots than were their forefathers, it is not likely
that anany will go home without at least a fairly
filled bag. lbs,ps, in these modern (lays, do less for
their masters than formerly; but they are still of
great service, whether engaged in drawing hunting,
setting, or backing. The use of the artificial "kite "
or "hawk" Is on the decline, and is seldom resorted
• hewever wild the birda may be, unless, indeed, it
Is desired to secure sport at any wet. Whenever
brought into play, a species of hattue shooting begins,
which is even more reprehensible in the case of terror-
stricken partridges than of pheasants which have long
lost the claim to be considered "OalUe " in the truest
sense of the word. But we may be sure that, in the
main, the rules of sport will be respected, and the
birds will have a fair chance afforded them. All
over the country the whirr of coveys and the sharp
report of guns may be heard to-day, and sturdy
Britons released from toil are wandering over pasture*
and arable land, in search not only of plump and
pleasant partridgen, but (if health and vigour. The
weather in most parte is favourable to the sportsmen.
In some places rain has fallen, but in the majority a
cool wind is reported to be blowing, with an absence
of shower's. Before darkneee (*tittles clown the none,
and the frightened hint,are left to seek such fitful
repose as they can obtain between evening and the
early dawn of tre-MUITOM, the partridge will divide
honours with grouse in game shop's, if not upon many
tables in both town and country. As they are plead'.
Jul this year let us hope they will be cheap. But,
thee, hope is such a bait it covers any hook, and if
by combination the prices can be kept up, the public
may be certain that they most assuredly will be.
_
SUGGESTED EXHUMATION OF SHAK.