THE BEAGLE HOUND. 285 



He lives in a better-cultivated end of the country, and had not tried his much in 

 briers before. Since the brier farms are the natural refuge of the rabbits, and 

 afford much the best sport, he sees that a tougher Hound is more useful. The 

 day's experience was so exactly a corroboration of your letter, I quite enjoy 

 giving it to you Very truly, 



Also, to avoid having your Beagle cut up more than can 

 be avoided, it is well to select one having a low and well- 

 set ear, and as called for by the standard, ' ' closely framing 

 and inturned to the cheek." The best-hung ears will 

 spread out considerably when the Hound is running, and a 

 poorly hung and high-set one will be greatly exposed to 

 all briers and thorns within reach. Do not merely have in 

 mind an ear of great length. The shape of the nose or 

 muzzle is, of course, no positive indication of the scenting 

 powers of its possessor, but it is well to always choose the 

 Hound having a wide muzzle and good open and moist nos- 

 trils, the same usually being indicative of fine scenting 

 powers, a more important factor in a Hound for rabbit or 

 hare hunting than any other. 



I can not say that I agree with the standard in pref er- 

 ring a "lull and prominent " eye, as called for, for the same 

 reason that a fine, soft coat and exposed ear is not desired. 

 Personally, I prefer an eye somewhat protected and not 

 as exposed as the one called for, as my experience has 

 taught me that too "full and prominent" an eye is easily 

 injured. 



While personally, as far as beauty is concerned, I admire 

 a black-and-tan coat, as giving a Beagle decidedly the ap- 

 pearance of being ' ' a miniature Foxhound, ' ' I consider it 

 desirable, and prefer, for work, a Hound having plenty of 

 white on him, as this enables one to readily see him at 

 a distance. Beagles, like other Hounds, arejnot specially 

 obedient as to coming in when called, particularly when 

 there appear any prospects of soon getting started on a 

 warm trail; and one can often locate his Hounds if they 

 possess a fair amount of white, when otherwise they could 

 not be seen, and one can then get them, if desired, when 

 otherwise he could not. 



