136 HUNTING DIRECTORY. 



Of Blooding Young Hounds. 



from the time you make your draft, to the time of hunt- 

 ing, is a long period ; and their existence at that age and 

 season very precarious : besides, when they are safe 

 from the distemper, they are not always safe from each 

 other; and a summer, I think, seldom passes without 

 some losses of that kind. At the same time I must tell 

 you, that I should decline the entering of more than are 

 necessary to keep up the pack, since a greater number 

 would only create useless trouble and vexation. 



" You wish to know what number of old hounds you 

 should hunt with the young ones : — that must depend on 

 the strength of your pack, and the number which you 

 choose to spare ; if good and steady, ten or twelve couple 

 will be sufficient. 



" The young hounds, and such old ones as are in- 

 tended to hunt along with them, should be kept in a 

 kennel by themselves, till the young hounds are hunted 

 with the pack. I need not, I am sure, enumerate the 

 many reasons that make this regulation necessary. 



*■ I never trust my young hounds in the forest till they 

 have been well blooded to fox, and seldom put more than 

 a couple into the pack at a time. The others are walked 

 out amongst the deer, when the men exercise their 

 horses, and are severely chastised if they take any notice 

 of them. They also draw covers with them ; choosing 

 out such, where they can best see their hounds, and 

 most easily command them, and where there is the least 

 chance to find a fox. On these occasions I had rather 

 they should have to rate their hounds than to encourage 

 them. It requires less judgment ; and, if improperly 

 done, is less dangerous in its consequences. One halloo 



