THE CONDITIONS OF HUNTING. 229 



All this means a broadening of ideas as to hounds, and the 

 result which has been gradually, but firmly, established is 

 that the sort of hound which can win at Peterborough is the 

 sort to be aimed at by breeders, and that variations from type 

 should be " put down." And I am inclined to think that 

 these variations from type are far less common than they used 

 to be, simply because the eliminating process has been in 

 action for many years at many kennels, and this means that 

 the odd hound of unorthodox appearance has practically dis- 

 appeared. As far as I can gather, when fewer hounds were 

 bred and Masters did not strive so' determinedly to reach a 

 certain standard, there were occasionally odd hounds or even 

 an odd litter that was ungainly, perhaps too big and clumsy, 

 more frequently too small, or with formation that was not 

 correct. A Master who was a genuine hound man would con- 

 demn such hounds at once, but in other cases, where the 

 Master was less particular, where very few puppies 

 were bred, and there was little margin in the matteir 

 of numbers, the odd hound would be entered, and kept on if 

 he was good in his work. Probably the average hunting man 

 of to-day has never even seen the sort of hound I have in 

 mind, but I can remember such hounds, and I have, within 

 the last five-and-twenty years, seen a mixed pack, where the 

 height ranged from barely over twenty to well above five-and- 

 twenty inches, where flat sides and bad legs and feet were con- 

 spicuous, and where a little " dressing " was badly needed. 

 I mention no names or locality, but the pack I have in mind 

 is now up to show form, thanks to a capable Master, who 

 changed the kennel system, and went to his neighbours for 

 blood. But what my coirrespondent in Flanders wanted also to 

 know is whether I thought thei Peterborough show has done 

 good, and to this I answeir most certainly iti has, if only because 

 it has improved the all-round standard all over the cO'Untiy, 

 and encouraged the using by one keiineil of honnds froim other 

 kennels which may be hundreds of miles away. A Master in 

 need of fresh blood goes to Peterborough and sees just the 

 hound or kennel type that he is looking for, and straightway 

 sends his bitches to the kennel he approves. One Master 

 wishes to correct rather heavy shoulders, another wants more 

 bone, or greater size in his hounds, wliile a third has hounds 

 which are deficient in quality. Peterborough acts as an ex- 



