"Of our sport and our welcome none ever complain. 

 If you come to us once, we shall see you again." 



Rhymes in Red. 



VIII 



THE GENESEE VALLEY 



THE VALLEY ITSELF — NATURE OF THE LAND HUNTED OVER — THE 



NATIVES — WHY THEY LOVE THE VALLEY A VISIT TO THE 



KENNELS. 



TT seems difficult to write of the Genesee Valley hounds with- 

 -*- out first introducing the reader to the famous valley itself, 

 and the nature of the country hunted. 



Wliile the natives will tell you "the hunt is one of the oldest 

 in America," and "the hunters are the best in the world," the 

 valley comes first in their affections. You will have to hear all 

 about it sooner or later, so we may as well devote a few lines 

 to attempt to show you what it is like. Just a glance, so that 

 should you visit there, or meet one of the natives, you will have 

 the good taste to talk valley to them, or rather let them talk 

 valley to you. It is their weakness, perhaps, but it is policy 

 to indulge it. Perhaps you have been there and know it by 

 heart, and can, like the natives, sing its praises with variations. 

 In that case, you had better skip what follows, for you are 

 sure to be disappointed in the writer's attempt. 



Everyone agrees in saying the Genesee Valley is the most 

 beautiful, most fertile spot in the State of New York, and those 

 who have travelled most in America and abroad, say there is 

 but one Genesee Valley in the world. 



