26 SYSTEM OF KENNEL AND 



by which time they will be stronger to meet the 

 rough usage too often awaiting them. Previously, 

 however, to their leaving the kennel, another opera- 

 tion must be undergone — not less painful because 

 necessary in all large foxhunting establishments — 

 branding one side with the initial letter of the 

 master. To avoid causing more sufifering to the 

 whelp than absolutely unavoidable, we give the 

 modus oioerandi adopted by ourselves : — Lay the 

 whelp on his left side, one man holding his head 

 and fore-legs, another the hind ones. Cut off suffi- 

 cient hair on the round ribs with a sharp pair of 

 scissors, having first placed the brand in the mouth 

 of the boiler's grate ; and when sufficiently heated 

 to mark the skin, apply it quickly for a second with 

 the right hand, having some fresh lard in the left 

 to put on the scar as soon as the iron is removed. 

 A more healing ointment, and better for blisters, 

 burns, or scalds, is made as follows : — 



Precipitated chalk 1 oz. ; lard 4 oz. ; melt the 

 lard and stir in the chalk. 



I have known some ignorant huntsmen — ignorant 

 we mean of the result to be produced by this brand- 

 ing — apply the iron red-hot, by which not only is 

 so much additional punishment inflicted on the 

 unfortunate whelp, but the desired object is frus- 

 trated by extensive excoriation obliterating the 

 outline of the mark, from excessive suppuration, 

 just as we see the legs of a horse mutilated by 

 a stupid farrier. There is another punishment 

 added to this generally by country practitioners — 

 a blister being directly applied to the smarting 



