I 



PREFACE 



following rough notes on a subject which, so far as I 

 know, has never been written on, will, it is hoped, prove 

 of use to owners of deer-forests and deer-parks. 



As a rule, the herds of deer in parks are too often left to breed 

 at haphazard, and in many parks there are herds of stunted fallow 

 deer as small as goats and carrying miserable " heads." 



Even where fallow deer are better looked after, it is usual to 

 breed to a standard merely for venison, and so long as a buck is fat, 

 no attention is paid to his colour or head, and a herd usually 

 consists of animals of all colours and shapes. 



To see, for instance, a herd of fallow deer all dappled and all 

 looking alike, is very rare ; and this book is intended to assist 

 those who desire to have their deer as well tended and well bred as 

 prize poultry or prize dogs. 



Feeding is, of course, of the utmost importance, and this should 

 be done systematically all the year round and not deferred till 

 the cold weather sets in, when the deer are frequently too much 

 weakened to derive any real benefit from artificial feeding. 



Peas, beans, wurzels, acorns, and hay (the latter in racks, to 

 prevent the deer pulling it out and wasting it the racks being 

 of such height that sheep cannot reach the tray) are necessary, as 

 are also lumps of rock-salt and chalk to aid in forming bone and 

 horns. 



