BREAKING DOGS.] 



SHOOTING, 



[packing- GAjIE. 



next tried a very sharp spiked collar with cord 

 attached to it ; and to have him at all times 

 within reach, I loaded him with shot, by hang- 

 ing about two pounds round his neck, so that 

 he might be said to be in a constant state of 

 exertion. Finding, however, that all this was 

 mere trifling, and that after reducing the 

 length of the cord to about two yards, and 

 fastening the end to the middle of a good 

 strong hazel — which had the effect, at any ex- 

 traordinary or improper exertion, of pulling 

 him completely over — I had not the most 

 distant prospects of remuneration, I was at 

 the point of yielding to necessity, when a 

 circumstance happened, which gave me an op- 

 portunity, once more, of trying how far this in- 

 subordinate spirit might be reduced. The old 

 bitch began to show symptoms of approaching 

 desire ; and, during the period of their amour, I 

 allowed him a perpetual and unlimited inter- 

 course with her, keeping him, at the same time, 

 low in flesh, and taking them both out together 

 as usual. In the course of a couple of days, I 

 found so decided a change for the better, that 

 I persevered more diligently in the plan of re- 

 striction ; "which, at the end of a fortnight, 

 so completely succeeded, as to leave me in 

 possession of an animal which, of his kind, 

 was the very best I ever saw. The produce, 

 also, of that litter was invaluable, and required 

 less breaking than any dogs I ever was master 

 of." 



As sportsmen often make presents of game, 

 540 



it is very necessary to know how they should 

 be preserved and packed, so as to keep them 

 agreeable and sweet until they arrive at theii 

 destination. Mr. Thornhill says — " If you wish 

 to send your game to any distance, never draw 

 it, particularly a grouse ; that is, do not follow 

 the usual directions of taking out the entrails. 

 The best mode is, not to pack them until they 

 are perfectly dry First of all, procure blad- 

 ders, and put a brace or more in one, if the 

 bladder will contain them ; tie the bladder 

 tight round the neck, and seal it with sealing- 

 wax, to prevent the air from getting in ; and, 

 in that state, if they are put into boxes, they 

 will keep for three weeks, if required." The 

 compiler tried this experiment last year, and 

 found that it answered better than any mode 

 he had ever before made use of. He sent a 

 gentleman some game from Cumberland to 

 London, packed as described ; and the gentle- 

 man not being at home, it lay in the box till 

 his return, which was fifteen days after its 

 arrival ; and this gentleman assured him that 

 he was surprised to find, on eating it, that it 

 was as good as if killed only the day before, 

 and was perfectly sweet, although the dis- 

 tance it went was nearly three hundred miles. 

 Colonel Hawker says—" To send grouse any 

 distance, put pepper to the parts where 

 tliey have been shot, as well as into their 

 mouths ; then pack them, carefully separated 

 from each other, and kept as air-tight as pos- 

 ^ sible in boxes of hops." 



