66 NUMBER NECESSARY. 



many instances ; and that I apprehend would 

 not answer your purpose at an}?^ rate. 



You ask me what number of young hounds 

 you should breed to keep up your stock.? it is 

 a question, I believe, no man alive can answer. 

 It depends altogether on contingencies. The 

 deficiencies of one year must be made up the 

 next. I should apprehend from thirty to thir- 

 ty-five couple of old hounds, and from eight 

 to twelve couple of young ones, would, one 

 year with another, best suit an establishment 

 which you do not intend should much exceed 

 forty couple. This rule, I think, you should 

 at the same time observe — never to part with 

 an useful old hound, or enter an unhandsome 

 young one. 



I would advise you, in breeding, to be as lit- 

 tle prejudiced as possible in favour of your own 

 sort ; but send your best bitches to the best 

 dogs, be they where they may. Those who breed 

 only a few hounds may by chance have a good 

 pack ; whilst those who breed a great many, (if 

 at the same time they understand the business,) 

 reduce it to a certainty. You say you wish to 



see your pack as complete as Mr. M I's : 



believe me, my good friend, unless you were to 

 breed as many hounds, it is totally impossible. 



