i 4 6 THE KEEPERS BOOK 



dogs should get plenty of fresh water, and be fed 

 regularly. 



The 'prentice keeper should always be out with the 

 head-keeper when he is training his dogs. As to the 

 management of dogs in the field, the experience must 

 be gradually acquired, but the perusal of books on dog- 

 breaking by such authorities as General Hutchison, 

 Sir Henry Smith, and others, may be useful in giving 

 him hints. But without observation, common sense, 

 patience, and perseverance, he will never become a 

 practical dog-breaker. However pure the breed and 

 however satisfactory the condition in which dogs may 

 be kept, perfection in breaking is neither to be secured 

 nor expected except with very considerable experience 

 amongst game. 



The 'prentice keeper must also, as soon as possible, 

 be put in contact with ferrets. He must be instructed 

 as to the cleaning of their sleeping and feeding quarters, 

 and learn in detail the whole question affecting their 

 breeding, their feeding, and their working. Next to 

 these, the management of hill ponies and other horses 

 used in sport must come under his observation. 



Of other matters for early observation mention must 

 be made of the burning of heather, the improvement of 

 soil, and questions of draining, fencing, planting. In 

 all these matters the 'prentice keeper should be com- 

 pelled to use his hands as well as his brains. His early 

 days must be partly those of a labourer, a joiner, and 

 a forester. He will find that having dealt with these 



