2o6 FOX-HUNTING FROM SHIRE TO SHIRE 



The entries for 1911, all over the country, were 

 not numerically strong, for the wet winter was the 

 cause of great mortality amongst young hounds, 

 and of seventy couples sent out to walk by Lord 

 Middleton, only thirty couples were returned to 

 kennels. After further drafting, Bishopp put for- 

 ward fifteen couples, nine of dogs, to six of bitches ; 

 and these were an active lot of the medium-size 

 favoured at Birdsall, showing the right amount of 

 stuff and quality, with well-sprung ribs, and quite 

 good as to their feet, knees, and bone. The offices 

 of the home sires, Dexter, Deacon, Stalwart, Viceroy 

 and Rector had been depended on for the greater 

 part of the entry ; and it was their produce that won 

 the honours on the flags ; with one exception, that 

 being a nice bitch, Welcome, a daughter of Belvoir 

 Warlaby, placed second. The other outside sires 

 represented in the entry were Belvoir Nestor, and 

 Bedale Wellington ; the latter being a very nice 

 sort of dog, full of Belvoir blood, and a nailer 

 in his work. The first prize dog of this entry 

 was Strickland, who showed more stuff than any of 

 his companions, and is a nice turned hound, by 

 Stalwart. 



Lord Middleton's previous entry of igio were a 

 very beautiful lot, improved out of all recognition, 

 with work and kennel condition. They form a 

 pack of themselves, comprising eighteen and a 

 half couples of one season hunters ; a very valuable 

 addition to the kennel, containing as it does many 

 who promise to blossom into stallion hounds. The 

 home-sires Stalwart, Deacon, and Viceroy were 

 practically responsible for the whole of the entry, 

 and we liked the winner, named Strider, a son of 

 Stalwart, standing well on short legs — Bishopp 

 saying that he is excellent in his work. Vicksburg, 



