124 ANIMALS USED BY THE SHOOTER. 



Hutchinson, but at the same time I contend that one quarter 

 of the time spent in teaching any one of them would suffice 

 to inculcate the subsequent performance fc> which this one 

 was meant to be preparatory. If, then, this is true, the 

 plan fails altogether; but nothing short of actual experience 

 can demonstrate the truth or fallacy of his directions. I 

 have never yet heard of his more minute instructions being 

 carried out by any practical man ; and as I know that the 

 dog may be rendered perfectly complete in his education 

 without them, I must continue to think that they are un- 

 necessary, until I am shown to the contrary. I am quite 

 satisfied, that if the seven points which I have described are 

 carefully instilled before taking a dog into the field to show 

 him game, there will be very little to do when there ; the 

 only respect in which no preparatory teaching will be of any 

 service being in the method of beating his ground, which 

 will be alluded to in the next stage. 



BREAKING AT PAIRING TIME WITHOUT THE GUN. 



In the month of March and early in April, partridges and 

 grouse have paired, and are so tame, that they will lie like 

 stones. At this time, also, the wheat is high enough to con- 

 ceal them, while the weather being cool and the ground damp, 

 the scent is so good as to enable the dog to find his game 

 without difficulty. This, therefore, is the time to be chosen 

 for commencing the education in the field of the pointer and 

 setter. Premising that the pupil is under good command, and 

 that he will readily carry out the seven orders which are 

 specified under the article on Preparatory Education, the next 

 points to be taught are 



1st. The range; that is, the method of beating the ground 

 so as to avoid missing game. 



2nd. The point ; that is, the art of standing steadily the 

 moment that the scent of game is felt with certainty. 



3rd. To back ; in which the dog stops in a more or less 

 excited attitude the moment he sees another dog point or 

 back. 



4th. To draw ; that is, when he feels a scent, but is un- 

 certain about it, or is led to believe that game is moving 



