FOX-HOUNDS 241 



and may be bred from without fear the first year ; 

 and if this (which is the only way of finding out a 

 cross which nicks early) is a lucky one, it will be 

 knoAvn soon enough to be repeated several times. 

 But it must not be till after the produce mth that 

 bitch has been tried ; consequently two years after 

 it will be known, and the same bitch can be put to 

 him again, but not till then. 



The ^mter was once asked the following question 

 in the company of four masters of hounds. We 

 four agree in thinking that bitches are quicker in 

 cover than dogs ; what say you ? Yes ; not because 

 they are bitches, but because they are smaller, and 

 can go with greater ease after a fox in thick cover, 

 brambles, furze, etc., than dogs ; but find dogs the 

 same size as the bitches, and hunt them together, 

 and they will be as often fii'st as the bitches ; and 

 much oftener right, not being naturally so flighty. 

 It might have been added, that to have hounds 

 perfect for work in every sort of country, the dogs 

 should look hke bitches, and the bitches should 

 look hke dogs. 



It may appear paradoxical, but it is nevertheless 

 true, that the proof of a hound's goodness is, that 

 he is never remarkable during a run ; and there are 

 many good sportsmen who would prefer a hound of 



R 



