14 "HOUNDS, GENTLEMEN, PLEASE !" 



With regard to the expense of maintaining these 

 hounds, that some treat so carelessly, it is only when 

 financial matters are being discussed at a hunt 

 meeting that the ordinary follower of the chase 

 gathers any ideas on the subject, unless he chooses 

 to interest himself in the matter of kennel manage- 

 ment. How many know anything about the way 

 hounds are fed during summer and winter, or how 

 much they eat (I verily believe that some think 

 they are turned out to grass in summer), that 

 oatmeal costs £13 or £14 per ton, and that feeding 

 in summer costs fully as much as in winter if 

 hounds are to be kept really healthy? 



These details are not thought of by the majority; 

 if they were we should, perhaps, seldom have that 

 piteous howling of the maimed hound struck by the 

 horse of a careless rider, and " 'Ware hound ! " would 

 probably be passed along more frequently. 



Readers who are hunting folk and reside in the 

 country, do you rear a puppy (or puppies) for the 

 Hunt you patronise most ? If not, you ought to do 

 so ! You will not fail if you do to appreciate the 

 working of hounds, to be zealous for their success, 

 to try on all occasions to ensure their being given a 

 fair chance to exhibit their prowess. I should like 

 to put in a special plea for hounds when they are 

 leaving covert. 



"A fall's a hawful thing," as Mr. Jorrocks said, in 

 one of his " sportin' lectors," but at no time does 

 it seem such a calamity to the ardent sportsman as 

 when it occurs at the very commencement of the 

 chase. At that thrilling period it appears to most of 



