54 MANAGEMENT OF HOUNDS. 



bourers, who live chiefly upon this food ; and it has been 

 ascertained that oats contain more muscular matter than 

 wheat. The coarser the oatmeal is, the better; it 

 should be well boiled for an hour, stirring the while, to 

 prevent its catching at the bottom of the copper. 1 had 

 once a lazy feeder, who used to let the meal boil some- 

 times without stirring it, and the consequence was nearly 

 fatal to himself, as from this neglect the copper burst, 

 and scalded him severely. Other feeders I have known 

 to keep pouring in oatmeal, until it is so thick that they 

 can stir it no longer ; but this makes a sad hole in the 

 master's pocket. A certain quantity should be given 

 out daily, and I would recommend you to keep the key 

 in your own pocket. One pound of good old oatmeal is 

 sufficient for any middle-sized hound. Less will do with 

 small hounds, when well boiled, with the addition of 

 meat and broth. The thicker the pudding is made, the 

 more liquor it will take when being mixed up. 



It is the custom in some establishments to take all 

 horses, dead or alive, diseased or healthy, which are 

 brought to the kennel. I need scarcely observe that, if 

 you wish to keep your hounds healthy, you must not 

 feed them upon unwholesome food ; and I would recom- 

 mend you not to give any horses which have died of 

 disease to your hounds. Purchase the horses for the 

 kennel, and keep them for a week or two before they are 

 killed. In some localities dog horses are scarce, in 

 others almost too plentiful ; the average price is from 

 fourteen shillings to a pound. Some huntsmen, when 

 flesh is scarce, give graves ; I would nearly as soon give 

 poison. It is the most foul, heating food that ever was 

 (Ipstined for the stomach of a dog. The insides of sheep, 



