ON THE FEEDING OF HOUNDS 35 



precision which are best entitled to precedence, than 

 this method of feeding will admit of ; and unless flesh 

 be in great plenty, those that are called in last may not 

 have a taste of it. To prevent this inconvenience, 

 such as are low in flesh had better be all drafted off 

 into a separate kennel j 1 by this means, the hounds 

 that require flesh will all have a share of it. If any 

 be much poorer than the rest, they should be fed 

 again : such hounds cannot be fed too often. If any 

 in the pack be too fat, they should be drafted off, and 

 not suffered to fill themselves. The others should eat 

 what they will of the meat. The days my hounds 

 have greens, or sulphur, they generally are let in all 

 together ; and such as require flesh, have it given to 

 them afterwards. Having a good kennel-huntsman, 

 it is not often that I take this trouble ; yet I seldom 

 go into my kennel, but I indulge myself in the 

 pleasure of seeing food given to such hounds as 

 appear to me to be in want of it. I have been told, 

 that in one kennel, in particular, the hounds are under 

 such excellent management, that they constantly are 

 fed with the door of the feeding-yard open ; and the 

 rough nature of the fox-hound is changed into so 

 much politeness, that he waits at the door till he is 

 invited in ; and, what perhaps is not less extra- 

 ordinary, he comes out again, whether he has satisfied 



1 By thus separating from the rest such as are poor, you will proceed 

 to the feeding of your hounds with more accuracy and less trouble ; and 

 though they be at first drafted off in the manner above described, it is 

 still meant that they should be let in to feed, one by one, as they answer 

 to their names ; or else, as it will frequently happen, they may be better 

 fed than taught. 



