FOXES FOXHOUNDS & FOX-HUNTING 



The old-time native-bred foxhounds were in 

 all probability blood-hounds or at any rate hounds 

 of that tjrpe, and it was not until the introduction 

 of English and French blood that an improve- 

 ment in type took place. There is still a good 

 deal of controversy as to the respective merits 

 of English and American-bred hounds, some 

 people favouring the one and some the other. 

 In the majority of recognised packs, the American 

 hounds appear to find most favour, while others 

 are composed of cross-breds. The Hunts which 

 use English hounds are decidedly in the minority. 

 Much of the country hunted in America is wilder 

 and rougher than in England, with large coverts, 

 and dry and rocky ground. The States of 

 course cover a vast extent of territory, so that in 

 addition to the extremely provincial types of 

 hunting countries, there are many others emin- 

 ently suited to fox-chasing. 



The methods and customs of hunting in 

 America, differ considerably according to locality. 

 In the South fox-hunting has always held first 

 place, whereas in the East drag-hunting is fre- 

 quently indulged in. In some districts a good 

 deal of hunting by scratch packs is done at night, 

 the field enjoying the cry of hounds rather than 

 an actual view of the chase. This night hunting 

 is indulged in because scenting conditions are 

 then much better than during the heat of the 

 day. 



The first properly organised Hunt Club in 

 America to be run on English lines was inaugur- 

 ated in 1877 on Long Island. Ten couples of 

 hounds were imported from England, and a drag 

 was run. Being then a new thing, the members 

 of the Hunt were held up to ridicule and cari- 

 catured in the Press, but by degrees the idea 



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