298 HORSES AND HOUNDS. 



the lightest soils by the aid of the stable and kennel manure 

 (particularly the latter) will in two seasons produce most 

 luxuriant crops both of oats and grass. It was the custom for- 

 merly in some large establishments to have the oatmeal prepared 

 at home, and in dear seasons having made the experiment my- 

 self, I succeeded in having some capital meal manufactured by 

 a neighbouring miller ; but there is a good deal of trouble to be 

 incurred, and not very much profit ; the article, however, is 

 genuine and free from adulteration when home made, and that 

 goes for something in these times of spurious compounds. 



The outlay for two days a week will comprise six horses — 

 four horses, at £50 each, for the servants, and two hacks, at £25, 

 in all £250. I think these prices sufficient in a provincial 

 country, and can only say, that some of the best horses I ever 

 possessed cost me only £25 each, and they were quite first-rate, 

 both as to size and breeding. Young horses of queerish tempers, 

 or with a broken knee, are often parted with at low prices, which 

 after being ridden one season by the whippers-in will become 

 valuable hunters. To screws I have a great objection, and would 

 never recommend them ; they will scarcely ever improve, and 

 be abused by servants, as well as ridiculed by your field. There 

 must be expended also in the purchase of hounds about £200. 

 Saddles, bridles, rugs, &c., will cost £50 more; so that the whole 

 outlay, independent of the annual expenses, may be computed 

 at £500. 



It may be objected in the calculation I have here made, that 

 some items are omitted, which have formed part of the budget 

 put forth by other chancellors of the fox-hunting exchequer ; 

 but, as retrenchment is now become the order of the day, and 

 the strictest economy to be observed in every department of 

 the State, masters of hounds cannot do better than follow so 

 good an example, and sail as near to the wind as possible, 

 consistently of course with good and efficient management. 

 The farrier does not appear at all on my list, as I consider 

 his place quite a sinecure in a small establishment, and there- 

 fore it is altogether omitted. In the place of farriery may be 

 substituted, with much more benefit to the horses, hot water and 

 common sense, which should be extensively used, and will cost 

 nothing. A huntsman's book, or annual bill, reckoned by some at 

 from 80/. to 100/., is entirely excluded, as offering a premium only 

 for imposition and negligence. From my budget of expenses, 

 earth-stopping also and fees to keepers are left out, not because 

 they can be dispensed with, but that every master may make 

 his own calculation of what he intends to distribute on these 



