Dogs, 125 



bound by frost. When, on the contrary, the 

 ground Is very wet, every little depression 

 being full to the brim, and the long grass and 

 rushes heavy with moisture, the decision is 

 much easier to make — no dogs. Nothing 

 cows shooting-dogs more effectually than an 

 all-day soaking. I have known the keenest 

 of pointers after their first run through sodden 

 rushes absolutely decline to hunt any further 

 with a shower-bath accompaniment. Wet 

 ground, of course, involves also splashing 

 around the very lodging-places of the snipe. 

 It will be seen, from what has been written, 

 that dogs for snipe-shooting have their limit- 

 ations. Indeed, were it not necessary to give 

 instructions on this head for sportsmen who 

 possess dogs, love them, and are determined 

 to use them, at all events occasionally, I am 

 afraid that the verdict, speaking generally, 

 would have to be against the dog-folk for this 

 particular branch of gunnery — that is to say, 

 that they are as often useless as useful. If 

 intelligently employed, it is true, it is seldom 

 that they are actually harmful. However, 



