FOR THE FIELD AND FIELD TRIALS. 249 



qualifies him from further competition in the race 

 in which he is engaged. 



Field trials are conducted by intelligent, experi- 

 enced gentlemen. They have all the experience and 

 knowledge which come from * 'actual field work," 

 with the added knowledge of what constitutes the 

 principles of a competition and the best manner of 

 conducting it. 



In preparing a dog for a competition it therefore 

 is better to act on the theory that he will engage in 

 a race. Memories of what dear Star did on a mem- 

 orable day when he made forty-nine or more points 

 with birds to every point will not offset his inferior 

 performance in competition. Not what he has done, 

 but what he does do, is the only datum the judge 

 considers. 



To perform at his best, a dog must be in fine 

 physical condition. His muscles must be hard and 

 strong; his feet tough; his body free from fat and 

 surplus flesh, all resulting from sufficient exercise in 

 the preliminary weeks, combined with proper feed- 

 ing and general good care. Furthermore, he must 

 have ample practice on birds, so that he will be able 

 to perform quickly and skillfully on them, Speedy 



