History and Origin. 139 



these claims, though they have certainly deterio- 

 rated in size and type if the accounts of Brooke's 

 Barney were not overdrawn. 



The Brooke strain is one of the oldest we have 

 record of in this country, and owners of them 

 point with pride to their long unbroken line of an- 

 cestry. 



Kentucky has always been noted for its beau- 

 tiful women, fine horses, and good whisky. As 

 horses and hounds always go together, it is not, 

 therefore, surprising that the records both of the 

 bench and hound field trials show conclusively 

 that the very best foxhounds in America come 

 from Kentucky. 



Several reasons are given why the horses and 

 hounds of Kentucky are superior to those of all 

 other States. Among them is the fact that the 

 water contains a larger percentage of phosphate 

 of lime than any other section, and the effect of 

 this upon stamina, size, and bone is well known. 

 It is not only apparent in the lower animals, in- 

 cluding horses and hounds, but also in man, for 

 the records of the Civil War show the men en- 

 listed in Kentucky were both taller and heavier 

 on an average than those from any other State. 



Kentucky, settled by Virginians and Mary- 

 landers, from its earliest settlement was consid- 

 ered the greatest hunting ground in this country, 

 and the many wars waged by the Indians before 



