456 THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY. 



" Contrary to the usual practice in building kennels, 

 there should be three doors — two in the front, and 

 one in the back ; the last to have a latticed window in 

 it, with a wooden shutter, which is constantly to be 

 kept closed when the hounds are in, except in sum- 

 mer, when it should be left open all the day. This 

 door answers two very necessary purposes ; it gives 

 an opportunity of carrying out the straw when the 

 lodging-room is cleaned ; and as it is opposite to the 

 window, will be the means to let in a thorough air, 

 which will greatly contribute to the keeping of it sweet 

 and wholesome. The other doors will be of use in 

 drying the room when the hounds are out, and as one 

 is to be kept shut, and the other hooked back, (allow- 

 ing just room for a dog to pass,) they are not liable to 

 any obstruction. The great window in the centre 

 should have a folding shutter ; half, or the whole ot 

 which, may be shut at nights, according to the wea- 

 ther ; and the kennels by that means may be kept 

 warm or cool. 



" Between the two kennels may be situated the feed- 

 ing-yard and the boiling-house : there should also be 

 two lesser kennels — one for hounds that are sick, and 

 consequently draughted from the pack, the other, for 

 bitches in heat. 



" These kennels must be surrounded by a grass court, 

 and if a brook runs near at hand it will be better. 

 The gallows on which the flesh is hung should have a 

 thatched roof and a circular board round the centre 

 of it ; this will in a measure prevent vermin from 

 climbing up." 



Mr. Beckford had a small hay-rick in his grass 

 court ; against this the hounds were frequently seen 

 rubbing themselves, and he thought it tended greatly 

 to clean and improve the look of their coats. In 



