THE BREEDING OE EOX-HOUNES. 125 



CHAPTER VIII. 



Rules to be observed in the Breeding of Fox Hounds. — "Whim- 

 sical Sites for Kennels. — Months in which Whelps should 

 have their Birthdays. — Dressing Hounds. — Value of 

 Vegetable Diet. — Some Observations on the Science of 

 Breeding. 



A FEW words may be necessary on the treat- 

 ment of brood bitches and their whelps. It must 

 be obvious to every man acquainted with animal 

 economy generally that healthy progeny cannot 

 be expected from unhealthy parents, and unless 

 the juices and fluids of the mother are in a healthy 

 state before parturition the whelps will sufier 

 accordingly ; and from this first cause of vitiated 

 milk arises many of the diseases with which young 

 animals, particularly puppies, are afflicted. 



Quo semel est imbuta recens servabit odorem 

 Testa diu. 



New stomachs, as wellasnew casks, are particularly 



susceptible of lacteal acidities, or impurities, which 



