Httiiting with Hottnds. 369 



trencher-fed hounds of the neio-hborhood, the huntina of 

 that period being managed on the principle of each 

 farmer bringing to the meet the hound or hounds he 

 happened to possess, and appearing on foot or horseback 

 as his fancy dictated. Having gotten together some of 

 these native hounds and started fox-huntine in locaHties 

 where the ground was so open as to necessitate following 

 the chase on horseback, Mr. Wadsworth imported a 

 number of dogs from the best English kennels. He 

 found these to be much faster than the American doo-s 

 and more accustomed to work together, but less enduring, 

 and without such good noses. The American hounds 

 were very obstinate and self-willed. Each wished to 

 work out the trail for himself. But once found, they 

 would puzzle it out, no matter how cold, and would 

 follow it if necessary for a day and night. By a judicious 

 crossing of the two Mr. Wadsworth finally got his present 

 fine pack, which for its own particular work on its own 

 ground would be hard to beat. The country ridden over 

 is well wooded, and there are many foxes. The abun- 

 dance of cover, however, naturally decreases the number 

 of kills. It is a very fertile land, and there are few farm- 

 ing regions more beautiful, for it is prevented from being 

 too tame in aspect by the number of bold hills and deep 

 ravines. Most of the fences are high posts-and-rails or 

 " snake " fences, although there is an occasional stone 

 wall, haha, or water-jump. The steepness of the ravines 

 and the density of the timber make it necessary for a 

 horse to be sure-footed and able to scramble anywhere, 

 and the fences are so high that none but very good 



