82 ENTERING THE YOUNG HARRIER. 



which was reported to run down and kill more foxes than any other hounds in its 

 neighbourhood. 



Mr. Beckford was, we think, right, in advising- mid-day of the months of 

 October and November, for entering- of Harriers, the weather being- then expected 

 temperate, and young- hares that have not experienced the chase, being- easily 

 taken for the encouragement of the pack. It was formerly the custom, to enter 

 or train the young- harrier in company with Greyhounds, a practice always to be 

 avoided, from the dissimilarity of qualification in the two species, and the risk 

 of spoiling- the young harrier, by his catching the manner of the Greyhound, de- 

 pending- upon his sight and neglecting the scent. Two years old hounds should be 

 hunted three times a week, through the season, and being in high condition, 

 should occasionally be kept at work the greatest part of the day, in order to try 

 their game. On the first entering young hounds, they ought not to be uncoupled 

 too often on the same kind of ground, or in an open field, lest they should be at a 

 loss when turned into a cover. They should be accustomed to all the varieties of 

 the Country, at any rate of that on which they are to hunt, the champaign, the 

 hilly, the covert, the deep or boggy. It is certainly the way to perfect a pack of 

 harriers never to halloo the hare, or assist them when at fault, but to compel them 

 to depend on their own natural qualifications and exertions. 



The old method of rewarding and encouraging young hare hounds was as 

 follows. The hare after having been laid across a gate, and bayed by the hounds, 

 was skinned before them, and the gall and lights being taken away, which were 

 supposed to make a dog sick, the entrails were distributed, and afterwards the 

 caic;isc served up with sippets of bread, from the Huntsmen's wallets, dipped in 

 the blood. 



