194 QUESTIONABLE ECONOMY IN FEEDING GREAT RUNS. 



with caution. I will ask, is the manifestation of such a spirit among- hounds, a 

 symptom of starvation ? unshackled reason will answer no. The very reverse is 

 undoubtedly the only cause. As the general appearance of the Pack, at all times, 

 sufficiently disproves the assertion of Salopiensis, I think it idleness and waste of 

 time to offer any further remarks on the subject, therefore beg to subscribe 

 myself, your obedient servant, and constant reader, 



" AN OLD SPORTSMAN." 



On the above letter, we have two or three remarks to make. We have had lon<r 

 and ample experience of certain economical deceptions, in regard to feeding both 

 dogs and horses, as it is pretended, according to their work. Economy is too apt 

 to outwit itself in the case : and with respect to dogs, naturally carniverous animals, 

 more especially hounds, destined to such severe labours, we hold that, although 

 they may be kept alive, they cannot be kept in their best state of health and con- 

 dition, without a certain portion of animal food, whether at work or at rest. How 

 is it possible for a pack of Hounds summered without flesh, to meet their labours in 

 the field, during the following season, in the highest state of their powers ? Salopi- 

 ensis has rejoined to the above letter, confirming with fresh arguments and proofs, 

 his original statement ; to which rejoinder, in the Sporting Magazine for January 

 1820, our Readers are referred. 



HUNTING. Mr. Osbaldeston, the successor of Mr. Meynell, continues to enjoy 

 (1818) in Leicestershire, all the Sport, which his large stud of Hunters, and his 

 numerous pack of Fox hounds can give. One mode he has adopted, seems to meet 

 with peculiar success : whenever the hounds come to a check, he takes a certain 

 part of the pack, and the huntsman the other, each making separate casts ; by which 

 method one or the other is sure to hit off the scent, and ultimately seldom fail to 

 kill their fox. 



In the account of a fine run with Mr. Farquharson' s hounds in Dorsetshire, 

 last February, the chase lasting one hour and forty-three minutes, over flat grass 

 land, the writer observes with perfect non chalance ' We have heard but of one 

 horse dying !' 



Mr. Yealmans crack Harriers, the reputed completest in England, on the llth 

 of February, ran nine hares and killed them all. One of them ran the Vale of Black- 

 more, eight miles, perfectly straight. 



TREATMENT OF HOUNDS. " I am in the habit of hunting with a pack of 

 Hounds, where the Huntsman is too fond of rating his dogs, and will never give a 

 young hound credit for finding a fox, whereas they generally find him : it certainly 

 injures the hounds, and makes them slack in drawing. I would rather halloo a 

 young hound on to riot, and stop him when I ascertained he was wrong 1 , than rate 



