52 



clayey nature, and if possible on the crest of some rising ground, it 

 is necessary that the whole area of the building should be covered 

 with at least six inches of Portland cement concrete on a bed of dry 

 brick-rubbish, which, though not under every circumstance quite im- 

 pervious to damp, would be sufficiently so where the site is carefully 

 selected. This I consider one of the most essential points to be aimed 

 at in the construction of kennels. Allied to this is, of course, the 

 proper drainage of the site and building. If the kennel is placed on 

 a rising ground, the wet will to a large extent percolate away from 

 it ; but in addition to this natural advantage, it will be found of the 

 utmost benefit to lay an ordinary field -drain, with open joints and 

 overflows leading away from the kennel, to assist the natural process, 

 and more speedily clear the precincts of the surface-water. By these 

 means an area of a perfectly dry nature will be acquired, and a per- 

 fectly safe place to raise your building for the lodging of the hounds 

 and other accessories. 



The arrangement of the several parts of the building now come 

 under our notice, and although I have found many examples through- 

 out the country that have been very well arranged, yet I do not think 

 it will be presumptuous to add the two examples which I have 

 endeavoured to convey to the mind of the reader in Plates XXII., 

 XXIIL, and XXIV., XXV. Plate XXII. shows a plan to the accom- 

 panying view, XXI 1 1., of a small kennel to accommodate, say, a three 

 days' pack. The first requirement to be considered is the aspect to 

 which the kennels will be exposed, and I have laid them down facing 

 the south-east. This gives the sun to the dogs in the early morning 

 and throughout the best part of the day, up to a time when it may get 

 too strong and warm for keeping them in good condition, — I fancy 

 too much sun in summer is as bad as too little. One end of this wing 

 is reserved for the dogs, while the other is for bitches, and the chamber 

 between the two lodges the young hounds. There would thus be little 

 quarrelling among the dogs, being placed at a sufficient distance from 

 the others. To each chamber is put a court with enclosing walls of 

 height enough to prevent the dogs annoying each other, surmounted 

 with an iron railing about eight feet high. On the south-west front 

 a drawing-court might or might not be put, according to the judgment 

 of the owner, who might wish to occasionally show the pack. In any 

 case, it would be useful for drawing before feeding. In the wing to 

 the north-west has been contrived the feeding-chamber with its usual 



