82 Modern Dogs. 



whilst the Berkeley, Crawley and Horsham, South 

 Berks, Fitzwilliam, and Mr. Garth's have each 50 

 couples of running hounds in kennel. Other packs 

 number anything between the nine couples of the 

 Coniston to the 58^ couples of the Oakley, and the 

 55-|- couples of the H.H. (Hampshire). 



For a hundred years or more, it has been, and still 

 remains, though some packs now discountenance it, 

 the custom to '' round" the ears of foxhounds, 

 which is neither more nor less than shortening their 

 aural appendages, to prevent the latter getting torn 

 in covert, or in going through or over the fences. 

 This is done at about four months old. Most hound 

 puppies leave the kennels, after being taken from the 

 dam, to be located, '^walked" with the farmers and 

 other friends of the hunt. Here they are fed well 

 and wax strong until the time comes round, during 

 April and May, for them to return to the kennels, to 

 be properly entered with the cubs in the autumn. 



The occasion is utilised for a '' show of the 

 puppies." Prizes are awarded, silver tea and coffee 

 pots and such like ^' useful pieces of furniture " dear 

 to the farmers' wives and daughters. A pleasant 

 day is spent ; the Master gives a luncheon, and he 

 "toasts " and is " toasted " in return. 



The hounds each year drafted to make room for 

 the puppies are usually the perquisite of the hunts- 



