CHAPTER ELEVEN. 



THE END OF THE SEASON. 



THE last day of April marks the close of a fox- 

 hunting year, when changes in masterships 

 and in the staffs of establishments take effect. 

 It is an important date to professional huntsmen, for 

 although it is customary, when their services are no 

 longer required, to give them notice in January, they 

 cannot feel quite safe in their positions until May. 

 Masters are seldom guilty of the lapse of giving up 

 their posts at the eleventh hour, but unforeseen cir- 

 cumstances may arise to compel their retirement, and 

 then all the hunt servants automatically get notice. 

 The preceding two months, March and April, are 

 probably the busiest of the year in a kennel. Before 

 hunting is over, whelps will be arriving and the young 

 hounds will be coming in from walk. The latter 

 should be promptly dosed for worms directly they 

 come in, so that when distemper appears, they will be 

 better able to withstand it. They must also be broken 

 to couples, and the hound that has never had a collar 



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