The Cost of Hunting 



may be had then to suit all pockets. They prove a 

 good investment (the summering included). Each 

 horse having a box in a long range of shedding 

 that opens on to an exercising yard, two feeds a 

 day are required — rye, lucerne, and vetches being 

 also supplied. Here turning out in grass fields I 

 again discount. The cost of keep works out at 

 about I2S. per week in summer and 20s. in the 

 hunting season. 



The cost of hounds is roughly ^750 to ;£"i40o a 

 pack. Annual drafts are, however, usually pro- 

 cured ; they vary in price according to the position 

 of the pack they are purchased from. The Cottes- 

 more, Belvoir, and Warwickshire naturally are 

 expensive hounds to buy drafts from. About three 

 guineas to five guineas per couple is the average 

 price, or, singly, two guineas each. For three days 

 a week country fifty couples suffice. Their food 

 (*' meal " a year or more old) costs £\^ to £1% per 

 ton. The above pack requires about twenty tons 

 per year ; one hound about four cwt. in that time. 

 Horse or cow flesh costs about £^ per month — six 

 or eight carcases. As to the pack, the dogs and 

 bitches are generally (but not always) divided into 

 separate packs. The huntsman feeds the hounds ; 

 but when he is out hunting, the feeder does it. 



The whippers-in and feeders divide their other 

 duties. Good strappers are rather difficult to pro- 

 cure. The wages of the hunting staff are as follows : 



41 



