MODERN FARRIER. 525 



on such vegetables. Damaged ship-biscuit, soaked 

 in broth or milk, is very good. Boiled tripe is ex- 

 cellent, particularly when cut small and mixed with 

 the broth and bread raspings. Dogs are very fond 

 of the entrails of chickens. All bones except fish- 

 bones are beneficial, by their action on these ani- 

 mal's stomachs. 



53. Breeding Hounds. 



In breeding hounds, it is absolutely necessary to 

 consider the size, shape, colour, constitution, and 

 natural disposition of the dog you breed from ; as 

 well as the fineness of his nose, his stoutness, and 

 method of hunting. On no account breed from one 

 that is not stout, that is not tender-nosed, or that is 

 a skirter. It is the judicious cross that makes the 

 complete pack. The faults and imperfections in 

 one breed may be rectified in another. Never put 

 an old dog to an old bitch. Be careful that they 

 are healthy which you breed from ; or you are not 

 likely to have a healthy offspring. Should a favour- 

 ite dog skirt a little, put him to a thorough line- 

 hunting bitch, and such a cross may succeed. 



Give particular orders to your feedei*, to watch 

 over the bitches with a cautious eye, and separate 

 such as are going to be proud, before it is too late. 

 The advances they make frequently portend mis- 

 chief as well as love ; and if not prevented in time, 

 will not fail to set the whole kennel together by the 

 ears, and may occasion the death of your best dogs. 



54. Coupling young Hounds. 



After the young hounds have been rounded, and 

 are well reconciled to the kennel, know the hunts- 

 man, and begin to know their names, they should 

 be put into couples, and walked out amongst the 

 sheep. 



