THE HOUND 45 



six months is that they get the best part of the 

 summer for their puppyhood, and will have grown 

 strong before the winter comes. The early pups, 

 those that fall in January and February, must 

 have the greatest care and attention whilst the 

 cold weather lasts. A strong bitch will rear as 

 many as six sometimes, and one that is weak will 

 not do justice to three. You or your kennel 

 huntsman must attend to these things personally, 

 because, unless a pup is well nursed for the first 

 six weeks, it will never thrive afterwards. When 

 you are expecting a litter you should put an 

 advertisement in the local paper for foster- 

 mothers, and mention the date you require them. 

 The best plan is to have the foster-mothers before 

 they whelp, or you may be saddled with one that 

 has been in milk for two months. A muzzle is 

 sometimes necessary when the pups are first 

 changed. A great many huntsmen and men of 

 experience never give their pups any cow's milk 

 at all, as they think the change is liable to give 

 them " diarrhoea. I believe in encouraging the 

 pups to drink any time after they are a month 

 old ; but the milk should be sweet, and it is 

 better to boil it in order to kill worm germs. 



