EARLY HISTORY OF FOXHUNTING 5 



seek his Prey. You may stop his holes by 

 laying two white sticks across before them 

 which will make him imagine it is some Gin 

 or Trap laid for him ; or else you may stop 

 them up close with Black Thorns and Earth 

 together. 



"The best Hunting a Fox above ground is 

 in January, February, and March, for then you 

 shall best see your hounds Hunting, and best 

 find his Earthing ; besides which at such times 

 the Fox's Skin is best in season. Again, the 

 Hounds best Hunt the Fox in the coldest 

 weather, because he leaveth a very strong 

 scent behind him ; yet in cold weather it chills 

 fastest. 



•* At first only cast off your sure Finders, 

 and as the Drag mends, so add more as 

 you dare trust them. Shun Casting off too 

 many hounds at once, because Woods and 

 Coverts are full of sundry Chases, and so you 

 may engage them in too many at one time. 

 Let such as you set off at first be old staunch 

 hounds, which are sure ; and if you hear such 

 a hound call on merrily, you may cast off some 

 other to him ; and when they run it on the full 

 cry, cast off the rest ; and thus you shall com- 

 pleat your Pastime. The words of Comfort 

 are the same which are used in the other 

 Chases, attended with the same Hollo wings and 

 other Ceremonies. 



