244 HARE-HUNTING 



which is all-important in the autumn when a few 

 hours' sun will dissipate every trace of scent. It 

 is a capital education for young hounds, hunting 

 a trail, and it helps to steady the old ones at 

 the commencement of the season. Blood is quite 

 as necessary with harriers as foxhounds, and you 

 should make certain of killing or try your best 

 for the first few days of the season, and after 

 that your hounds will do it all themselves. 



"I think with harriers it is better, when a hare 

 is lying in the open, to put her away, and then 

 lay them quietly on when she is out of sight ; 

 but though I consider this plan gives the best 

 results, I like hounds to find the game themselves. 

 Of course, if you have any covert where there 

 are hares, you can let them draw it, but mind 

 they don't get a taste for rabbit. 



Unless you are very much in want of blood, 

 never give your hounds a view until the hare 

 is about done. Avoid riding close to them, and 

 endeavour to keep your field back ; you will then 

 find that, however much foxhound blood they 

 possess, they will cast themselves back when they 

 discover the hare is not forward. If you are a 

 good sportsman and really care about hare-hunt- 



