FIRST-HAND BITS OF STABLE LORE 



essary work. For the same reason an old wagon 

 or van is useful to take them on, and bring them 

 home, if the meets are far from the kennels. 

 Ten couple handled thus will do as much work 

 as twice the number that are slammed about and 

 neither properly cared for nor favored in all the 

 little details that go to "make the difference." 

 It is beautiful to see hounds going to cover and 

 coming home, but it means just so many extra 

 miles, and you may have large distances to get 

 over. When at the meet let the whip keep a 

 watchful eye for stragglers, and by throwing to 

 them a few scraps of biscuit, etc., from your 

 hand, talking to them and keeping them inter- 

 ested, they will cause no trouble until you are 

 ready to move. Be careful that your drag does 

 not start too near the meet, for the wind may 

 bring the savor to the pack, and if so, the run is 

 on in a minute. Always draw " down " the wind 

 onto your starting point, and not " up " for the 

 same reason. When time is up jog quietly off, 

 making sure that your whip we will assume you 

 have only one keeps the field off the hounds, 

 and insures them room enough; nothing makes 

 them wilder than the ever-present fear of being 

 ridden over, and you, as master, can and should 



272 



