no THE MASTER OF HOUNDS 



I allude to the precaution of sending a groom with any 

 favourite horse that is to be shot and insisting on his 

 stopping and seeing the deed performed. This has 

 always seemed to me a needless and impolitic want of 

 faith in the establishment ; nor is the reason very clear, 

 for it is hardly likely that an animal in such condition 

 would be either worked or starved. It is surely better 

 to let the animal rest quietly in a good grass paddock. 

 There he will be found when wanted, and there cannot 

 be any cruelty in such a course. 



What, however, should be carefully avoided is taking 

 flesh from any one. When an animal has died a natural 

 death, there is no saying what the causes were, and 

 this is a matter in which the Master should take no 

 risks. 



Hound puppies dearly like fish biscuits, and as a 

 change of diet I believe them to be most beneficial. 

 These contained just enough fish to give them a relish, 

 and they were always a most welcome change from too 

 much meat. This should at all hazards be avoided. 

 Harder work must, of course, carry with it greater 

 nourishment ; but, on the other hand, let it be remem- 

 bered that when they are idle, either in summer or 

 during a protracted spell of frost, they will be all the 

 better for weak broth. 



Taxes and Licences. — We now come to a separate list 

 of expenses, and I have left such items as poultry claims 

 and earth-stopping for later consideration. 



As to licences, each hound in the kennel entails a 

 licence of 7s. 6d. as soon as he is entered and takes his 

 place in the pick. Dogs under six months old, sheep 



