THOUGHTS UPON HUNTING. ^t 



the back, or any more quarrelsome than the rest, it will be 

 of use to cut them : 1 also 'spay ^uclTBTt'ches as I think I 

 shall not want to breed from ; they are more useful, are 

 stouter, and are always in better order ; besides, it is ab- 

 s'olutely necessary, if you hunt late in the spring, or your 

 pack will be very short for want of it. It may be right 

 to tell you, that the latter operation does not always suc- 

 ceed ; it will be necessary, therefore, to employ a skilful- 

 person, and one on whom you can depend ; for, if it be ill 

 done, thoiigb they cannot have puppies, they will s;o to 

 heat notwithstanding, of which I have known many in* 

 stances ; and that, I apprehend, would not answer your pur- 

 pose, at any rate. They should be kept low for several 

 days before the operation is performed, and must be fed on 

 tliin meat for some time after. 



You ask me, what number of young hounds you should 

 breed, to keep up your stock ? It is a question, I believe, 

 that no man can answer ^ It depends altogether on contin- 



it might be better, perhaps, to leave it till they are taken in. Dogs must 

 not be rounded at the time they have the distemper upon them j the loss 

 of blood would weaken them too much. 



