HOUNDS 127 



latted bottoms, about a foot from the floor. They 

 should be about two yards square. I quite 

 endorse the opinion of the huntsman you speak 

 about, that many quarrels are started hj benches 

 being too wide : and not only that, it tempts 

 them to stale and empty themselves on their 

 beds." 



(The opinion referred to was that many 

 quarrels begin, when wide benches are used, 

 from a hound in the back row stepping over his 

 tired comrades in front, when he wants to go 

 outside for any purpose, and such unwarranted 

 familiarity is strongly objected to.) 



Q. Please state a suitable length and width 

 for troughs. 



A. " Troughs should be on wheels, about five 

 yards in length. In width they should be about 

 a foot at the bottom to a foot-and-a-half at the 

 top, and a foot-and-a-half in depth." 



Q. If hounds are quarrelling at night, is it 

 safe to go into them without wearing kennel 

 clothes, and taking a whip ? 



A. " Certainly not." 



With reference to the necessity for these pre- 

 cautions it should be remembered that hounds 

 are very powerful animals, and often savage 

 when their passions have been raised by fighting. 

 The mere use of the voice is not sufficient to 

 control them at night, on such occasions, without 

 the outward symbols of authority which they are 

 accustomed to obey, and which they at once 

 recognise, and acknowledge accordingly. Serious 

 injuries have sometimes been suffered through 

 going into the kennel at such times in ordinary 

 clothes, when the inmates have failed to recognise 



