142 SYSTEM OF KENNEL AND 



always contending for the warmest place, and in 

 scrambling over each other, fighting must follow, 

 and some be knocked over on the floor ; and unless 

 heated by flues, walls are generally very retentive of 

 moisture, and, consequently, productive of rheuma- 

 tism. The position of the benches should be such as 

 to admit of two hounds passing each other by their 

 sides all the way round, and a wide spar or board 

 nailed from leg to leg, to prevent them attempting 

 to get underneath. The window of the lodging- 

 rooms should be of glass not mere lattice-work 

 and made to open and shut, like those in conserva- 

 tories, from top to bottom, so that in hot weather 

 they may be kept quite open, to admit freely 

 "The nitrous air, and purifying breeze," 



and entirely closed at night during the hunting 

 season. It is an error to suppose horses and hounds 

 are able to contend with the cold wintry elements 

 without, because they are kept in cold stables or 

 kennels. Such is not the case ; but quite the 

 reverse. Warm lodging is as necessary as good 

 feeding to keep animals of all kinds in good 

 condition ; and this fact has now become so tho- 

 roughly patent to farmers and graziers, that build- 

 ings for cattle are more insisted upon than barns to 

 store their corn in. Weather permitting, we know 

 there is nothing more conducive to health than a 

 free circulation of air through our own sleeping 

 apartments ; but experience has also taught us that 

 a cold chilling night wind is neither good for man 

 nor beast. To add to the warmth of the lodging- 

 houses, the roof should be constructed of reed, or 



