132 The Sporting Dog 



" In America there are no covers kept as there 

 are in England. There is no earth stopper ex- 

 cept at Montreal. Consequently the American 

 hound has got to work as an individual. Our 

 woodlands are larger and rougher than in Eng- 

 land. It is almost impossible to be always with 

 the hounds in their work, on account of the 

 swamps, cliffs, and other natural obstacles. 



" One method of hunting in America is to go 

 out at early dawn, having a pack of hounds that 

 work as individuals ; scatter them here and there 

 for a quarter of a mile, and let them finally strike 

 the trail of a fox that has passed the night before. 

 This may be simply a feed trail ; sometimes the 

 trail where the fox has gone off to rest for the 

 day. If a feed trail, it is likely to be in a swamp 

 where they go after frogs, or in a field where they 

 go after mice and other small animals. 



" The American hound's nose is keener, and 

 you can easily see that it has got to be, as he is 

 obliged to follow a trail which is several hours 

 old. When he finally gives tongue on his trail, 

 the other hounds honor his voice and gradually 

 the whole pack gets on the trail and works it up. 

 This by many is considered the best sort of hound 

 work, as it not only instructs one as to what the 

 hound may do, but also as to the habits and man- 

 ners of the fox." 



If I have made plain the American variation 



