26 SYSTEM OF KENNEL AND 



by which time they will be stronger to meet the 

 rough usage too often awaiting them. Previously, 

 however, to their leaving the kennel, another opera- 

 tion must be undergone not less painful because 

 necessary in all large foxhunting establishments 

 branding one side with the initial letter of the 

 master. To avoid causing more suffering to the 

 whelp than absolutely unavoidable, we give the 

 modus operandi adopted by ourselves : Lay the 

 whelp on his left side, one man holding his head 

 and fore-legs, another the hind ones. Cut off suffi- 

 cient hair on the round ribs with a sharp pair of 

 scissors, having first placed the brand in the mouth 

 of the boiler's grate ; and when sufficiently heated 

 to mark the skin, apply it quickly for a second with 

 the right hand, having some fresh lard in the left 

 to put on the scar as soon as the iron is removed. 

 A more healing ointment, and better for blisters, 

 burns, or scalds, is made as follows : 



Precipitated chalk 1 oz. ; lard 4 oz. ; melt the 

 lard and stir in the chalk. 



I have known some ignorant huntsmen ignorant 

 we mean of the result to be produced by this brand- 

 ing apply the iron red-hot, by which not only is 

 so much additional punishment inflicted on the 

 unfortunate whelp, but the desired object is frus- 

 trated by ve excoriation obliterating the 

 outline of the mark, from excessive suppuration, 

 just as we see the legs of a horse mutilated by 

 a stupid farrier. There is another punishment 

 added to this generally by country practitioners 

 a blister being directly applied to the smarting 



