THOUGHTS UPON HUNTING. 57 



The earlier in the year you breed the better : 

 January, February, and March, are the bell 

 months. Late puppies fcldom thrive ; if you 

 have any fuch, put them to the befl walks.* 

 When the bitehes begin to get big, let tliem not 

 hunt any more: it proves frequently fatal to the 

 puppies; fometimcs to the bitch herfelf ; nor is it 

 iafe for them to remain much longer in the ken- 

 nel. If one bitch have many puppies, more 

 than fhe can well rear, you may put Ibme of 

 them to another bitch; or if you deflroy any of 

 them, you may keep the befl coloured. They 

 fometimes will have an extraordinary number : I 

 have known an inftance of one having fifteen ; 

 and a friend of mine, whofe veracity 1 cannot 

 doubt, has afTured me that a hound in his pack 

 brought forth lixteen, all alive. When you 

 breed from a very favourite fort, and can have 

 another bitch warded at the fame time, it will 

 have this advantage, it will enable you to fave all 

 the puppies. Give particular orders that the 

 bitches be well fed with flefh ; they fhould alfo 

 have plenty of milk, nor fliould the puppies be 

 taken from them till they are able to take care of 

 themfelves: they will foon learn to lap milk, 

 which will relieve the mother. The bitches, 

 when their puppies are taken away from them, 



* Of the early whelps I ^eeep five or iix, of the late ones 

 only two or thrge, 



fhould 



