HARE-HUNTING 247 



expensive ; but most men can get off for a few 

 hours once or twice a week for a run with 

 beagles. It is splendid exercise, and there is no 

 finer phase of hunting. 



The best size of hound to use is a question 

 over which there has been much discussion, but 

 it may safely be laid down as a rule that foot- 

 beagles cannot be too small, provided they can 

 catch their hare, say on an average at every third 

 attempt. Those who follow hounds naturally 

 want to see as much of them as possible, and 

 no man on foot, however good a runner he may 

 be, can keep near fifteen-inch beagles when there 

 is a good scent. More than half the pleasure 

 of beagling is being able to run with the pack, 

 and though you may not kill quite as many 

 hares with small hounds, you have the enjoy- 

 ment of seeing all the hunting, and when you 

 do kill your satisfaction is complete. 



The description of country over which you 

 hunt must of course be considered, and where 

 there is much plough, or where there are many 

 deep dykes, you will require a rather larger 

 hound. When first starting a pack, you may 

 be obliged to put up with what you can get, 



