THE LIFE OF A FOXHOUND. 199 



" With these facts it becomes apparent 

 how the quantity and quality of food require 

 to be regulated by circumstances, especially 

 on the day before hunting. 



' ' There are few, if any, masters of hounds 

 or huntsmen who are not aware of the 

 necessity of giving small proportions of flesh 

 during the warm weather at the commence- 

 ment of the season, and again in the spring, 

 when such a condition of the atmosphere 

 generally prevails as that which we so 

 universally experience during the months of 

 November, December, and January. With- 

 out a certain proportion of flesh, it is well 

 known that hounds cannot work; that is to 

 «ay, they cannot go through the fatigues of a 

 quick burst or a protracted chase; at the same 

 time, too large a quantity will render them 

 gross and plethoric, consequently incapable of 

 exertion. 



"As the quality of the food depends in a 

 very great degree upon the manner in which 

 it is prepared, that becomes a subject worthy 

 of considerable attention. It is a practice in 

 many kennels to boil the flesh to a most 

 unnecessary and prejudicial extent, but it is a 

 custom which cannot be too strongly objected 



