THE AMATEUR KEEPER. By Archie Coats. Field Sports Handbooks series.

1962 1st edition. Small 8vo (130 x 189mm). Pp125. B/w photographs, illustrations. Dark green boards, spine titled in gilt.

"This is the first practical book on keepering to cater exclusively for the do it yourself shooters, of whom there are a rapidly increasing number. ...Every word is based on first-hand experience. Archie Coats' own property consists of only 13 acres, yet he rears birds, holds many of them on his ground and shoots an astonishing number on his 'big day'. He also manages and keepers, most successfully, a larger shoot of 300 acres which is run exactly on the lines described in this book." Chapters include: Vermin control; Feeding and tactics; Winter feeding; Working in with the farm; Improving your prospects; Modest rearing; Partridge problems; Running the shoot; Expenses; The big day. *The dedication to the front end-paper reads: "To Colin With many thanks for all the help given me with this book! (Yours) Archie. Tower Hill Dummer 30th October 1962" The Colin referred to is presumably Colin Willock, editor of the Field Sports Handbook series.