LETTER III. 29 



the first dressing of oil and sulphur does not destroy the 

 lice, dress again in a few days, and with the addition of a 

 small proportion of spirits of turpentine. At two months 

 old the whelps are fit to go out to walk. Many hunts- 

 men keep them till they are a month older, but I see no 

 advantage in it. They are certainly stronger at three 

 months than at two months old, but they are not likely 

 to get a bellyfull of good oatmeal porridge, with plenty 

 of meat and broth mixed with it, three times or even 

 twice a day at their walks, or perhaps none at all, and 

 will feel the want of this strong diet more severely. 

 When sent out to a farm house at two months old they 

 will get a tolerable supply of milk and whey twice a day, 

 which at that age is more suitable to them, and 1 think 

 they improve faster, and are not so likely to be checked 

 in their growth. There is a very great difference in 

 quarters. Some farmers take a pride in sending the 

 young hounds home well grown and well fed ; with 

 others they have a very rough time of it. It must be 

 confessed that a foxhound puppy is often very mischie- 

 vously disposed, and some little acknowledgment ought 

 to be made to the farmer's wife, in the shape of a gown, 

 bonnet, or shawl, when such has been the case. Giving 

 premiums, also, is an encouragement to have the young 

 hounds well kept, and I found it paid wonderfully ; for 

 the best dog £4>, second £8, third £2, fourth £1, and 

 the same for bitches. 



It is a good plan to give names with the whelps when 

 first sent out to their quarters ; they will be more handy 

 when returned to the kennel, and come readily when 

 called. When the young hounds come in, everything 

 is strange to them, and many are very shy and sulky. 



