100 THE DIARY OF A HUNTSMAN 



stick to their fox and can follow him without 

 difficulty, when a large dog hound passes the small 

 run or track where the fox went under brambles 

 or bushes, and goes round, which the fox soon 

 finds out and does not leave it so soon as when 

 the bitches press him closely by their following 

 him, for they can 



Every inch his footsteps trace. 



It admits of a doubt, whether hunting dogs and 

 bitches separately is an advantage, or whether 

 anything is gained by it, except appearance, as it 

 makes the packs more even. It is true that the 

 bitches are quicker as a pack than dogs, but they 

 do not always show the most sport, or kill the 

 most foxes. They are apt to be flighty, and unless 

 very strong, with four- and five-year hunters, 

 they will not kill anything like so many as the 

 dogs, and in a woodland country it is decidedly 

 objectionable. They are not so free with their 

 tongues, and often slip away without any one 

 knowing it ; on this account alone it is desirable 

 to have some dog hounds, which will also assist 

 in holding the line for them. And if a complaint 

 is made that the dog hounds have not quite dash 

 enough, let a few flying bitches go with the dogs, 

 and it will improve both packs. 



The plan of spaying young bitches which are 



