HOESES AND HOUNDS. 109 



ThroiTgliout the many years I kept fox-hounds, they were 

 always fed in the season upon the thickest and strongest food. 

 When the hunting season is conchided, the pudding may be 

 reduced by a liberal allowance of broth, and in the heat of sum- 

 mer, nettles, cabbages, and mangel wurzel will very much tend 

 to keep the hounds cool, and save the stock of oatmeah A pack 

 of fox-hounds have very little respite from their labours, and in 

 some kennels barely two months in the year are allowed them 

 to recover from the effects of the past season, during which they 

 can be said to be at rest. These are the months of May and 

 June ; but in some countries it is still, I believe, the fashion to 

 kill a May fox ; but, taking the average of the hunting coun- 

 tries, we may assume these two months to constitute the period 

 generally assigned for quietude and relaxation from all work.. 

 The young hounds are now supposed to occupy the chief time 

 and attention of the huntsman, as tlie hunting packs require 

 only sufficient exercise to keep them in health. By the aid of 

 alteratives and vegetables, mixed with their food, there is no 

 necessity for either bleeding, dressing, or severe doses of physic ; 

 rest is what the old hounds require most, and this they should 

 enjoy uninterruptedly for these two months at least, and if 

 lightly fed, they will not put on too much flesh. 



I have always been an advocate for keeping hounds, both 

 young and old, out in the air as much as possible during the 

 summer, walking them out five or six times a day, a practice 

 which tends greatly to their health, and the cleanliness of the 

 kennel also. The walls should be white-washed frequently, 

 which will prevent ticks and other vermin harbouring in them ; 

 and with clean straw changed every third day, there will be little 

 fear of the hounds being annoyed by fleas, which are always 

 generated by filth. There is an idle practice with many feeders 

 of leaving a certain quantity of the short straw on tlie benches 

 as bedding, and then adding clean straw to it ; and thus it is 

 suffered to remain often for some time until it becomes a perfect 

 hotbed for the production of fleas. The dust also works its way 

 to the hound's skin, and induces itching and mange. Every morn- 

 ing, when the hounds have left the kennel, the bedding should be 

 thoroughly shaken up into one corner, and the benches well 

 brushed over before it is replaced, and every third morning the 

 whole cleaned away, and fresh straw put on. This requires to 

 be particularly attended to during the summer months. 



There is also a great difference in the straw. None of course 

 but wheat straw should be used, and that should be of a coarse 

 description, and not much broken by the thrashing machine. 

 These may appear trifling matters, but they are of much more 



