THE &i'GRT|MAN f S VADE MECUM. 37 



are broken to fetch a soft substance, for instance, a glove 

 stuffed with wool is put in their mouths, checking them till 

 they hold it, calling them to you, checking them if they 

 drop it. By degrees you get them not only to hold and 

 bring, but also to fetch it. Practice and patience only are 

 required. Any one possessing them, and with but a slight 

 knowledge of sporting matters, by following the above plain 

 and precise rules, may break his own dogs. I have much 

 pleasure in making it known to the American public. 

 Where the article is taken from I cannot say. I got it a 

 few years ago in manuscript, and Lloyd, Sir J. Sebright's 

 keeper, is the author, and very creditable it is ,to him. The 

 springer is broken by this equally well with the pointer or 

 setter, omitting the pointing part ; teaching, however, the 

 quartering and " down," in the open, most perfectly and 

 thoroughly before ever he goes into covert till steady on 

 birds, dropping the moment a bird rises and a gun is fired 

 observing, though, to teach him to take his quarters much 

 closer and shorter. The cocker ought never to be fifteen 

 yards from the shooter, and when two are shooting, should 

 take his quarters from one to the other, turning at the 

 whistle, and only gaining a few yards each turn. For 

 beagles, kennel discipline is of more avail than out-door 

 teaching. They must be taught to come and go, when 

 called. To such perfection is this kennel discipline carried in 

 England, that I have seen fifty couples of hounds waiting in 

 a yard to be fed ; the door open, each one coming when 

 called by name ; leaving his food when ordered " to bed " or 

 " kennel." " Dogs come over," all the dogs coming over 



