26 OBSERVATIONS OX FOX-HUNTING 



ten, and sure of running a burst, I should say an 

 early hour was best ; but to take all chances 

 of finding early or late, about ten o'clock is the 

 hour I should prefer. In feeding your hoiuids 

 after hunting, that must depend on circumstances ; 

 but in the general way I should say feed them 

 immediately on their return to the kennel ; and 

 if after a hard day that happens to be late, allow 

 them to eat what they please. And again, the 

 last thing before you go to bed, endeavour to 

 coax the bad feeders. It is a good plan to wash 

 their feet in warm liquor when they return from 

 hunting — what the French call giving them a 

 bain de ine ; yet some people think it makes tlieir 

 feet tender. 



I should ad\ise you in the hunting season, 

 when the frost sets in, to give your hounds some 

 cooling physic, to lower their food, and the more 

 they are taken out on the turnpike road, the better. 

 To my horses also, at that time, I gave a dose 

 of physic each, taking care to give it only to a 

 few at a time in case of a svidden thaw. By 

 paying proper attention to things which some 

 people may imagine of little importance, you will 

 save a great deal of trouble and unnecessary 

 expense. 



It is equally advisable to bleed and physic 

 hounds when the lumting season is over, and 



