96 FACT AGAINST FICTION. 



Now, it is a fact long and well known to me, that 

 ^^ even condition" during tlie hunting season, if all 

 liounds may be fit to run, is nonsense. One hound 

 will be the better for being drawn as fine as pos- 

 sible ; another the better for carrying a little flesh ; 

 many retain the medium of condition, their con- 

 stitutions varying as much as those of men and 

 horses. 



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At the commencement of cub-hunting, always take 

 young hounds for entry to some spot where you 

 can directlij put them on the chase for which they 

 are intended. Neither strike nor rate them for 

 running hare or rabbit, for at their walks, if they 

 are good walks, they have been in the habit of 

 pleasing themselves by hunting both. As soon, 

 however, as they know what a fox is, and have had 

 a good example set them by the old hounds, then 

 rate them from riot, and let them feel the lash 

 enough to know that punishment is in hand if they 

 offend again. On running to ground in drains, it is 

 also wise, if jprevioushj to running to ground you 

 have had a sufficiency ofiuorJc, to let the hounds help 

 the men with spades to dig and scratch out the fox, 

 and to ^^draw" him for themselves. This long 

 contact with the hunted animal, close at him and 



