2j2 THOUGHTS UPON HUNTING. 



quire different hounds : some may require more hounds 

 than others. It is not an easy matter to draft hounds pro- 

 perly J nor can any expedition be made in it without some 

 method*. 



i SELDOM suffer many unsteady hounds to be taken out 

 together ; and when I do, I take care that none shall go 

 with them but such as they cannot spoil. 



* No hound ought to be left at home> unless there be a reason for 



it ; it is therefore that I say, great nicety is required to draft hounds 



propi'vlj. Many huntsmen, I believe, think it of no great conse. 



quence which they take out, and which they leave, provided they 



have the number requisite. A perfed knowledge in feeding and 



fi drafting hounds, are the two most essential parts of fox-hunting : good 



' hounds will require but little assistance afterwards. By feedings I mean 



' the bringing the hound into the field in his highest vigour ; by 



/ ^rgftitig, I particularly mean the taking out no unsteady hound, nor 



», ahy that are not likely to be of service to the pack. When you intend 



to hunt two days following, it is then that the greatest nicety will be 



requisite to make the most of a small pack. Placing hounds to the 



greatest advantage, as mentioned page 250, may also be considered as 



a necessary part of fox-hunting. 



Hounds that arc intended to hunt the next day, and are drafted off 

 into the hunting-kennel as soon as they are fed, should be let out again 

 into the outer court in the evening : my hounds have generally some thin 

 mtat given them at this time, while the feeder cleans out their kennel. 

 (Vi-ic note, p, *49.j — I have already said, that cleanliness is not less 

 «sscnt;al than food. 



