TRAINING HOUNDS. 15 



you find a cross succeed, always pursue it : if a favourite 

 dog skirts a little, put him to a thorough line-hunting 

 bitch, and such a cross may succeed. Be cautious of 

 breeding in and in. Young hounds are usually put out 

 to walk, or keep, till old enough to he admitted into 

 the kennel; when they return from this their first 

 school, become reconciled to the in-door discipline of 

 the kennel, and will readily answer to their names, it is 

 time to couple them, in order to take them abroad 

 to complete their education. Couple dog and bitch 

 together as far as practicable. Young ones which are 

 troublesome or awkward, may at first be coupled with 

 old hounds: they must not be coupled carelessly or 

 loosely, or the young dog may slip his collar, and, being 

 frightened, stray away. Collars with the owner's name 

 should be put on such as it is feared may strav. A 

 few couples at a time should be taken out at first, and 

 taught to follow the huntsman on foot : they must next 

 be taught to follow the horse ; then to run in company, 

 without skirting or skulking; to be strictly obedient 

 to the voice of the huntsman; to beware of hunting 

 improper objects ; to be staunch to the scent they are 

 defigned to be entered on ; and then they should run 

 one or two trail scents, as trials. It will be now proper 

 to lead the fox-hounds amongst those animals which 

 they should neither touch nor notice ; the most im- 

 portant of which are sheep and deer. A few dogs may 

 be uncoupled among the deer or sheep ; attendants, 

 being ready with their whips, should walk up and 



