FIRST-HAND BITS OF STABLE LORE 



and-ready quarters, so long as they are reasonably 

 cool in summer, and free from damp in winter. 

 Stone structures are distinctly to be avoided, at 

 least for winter use, and any hovel which has a 

 good height of roof and does not leak will answer 

 all purposes. It should, of course, have at least 

 one, and preferably two, shady yards of fair size, 

 and the building itself should be divided into two, 

 rooms, a feeding and a sleeping apartment, the 

 latter provided with slatted benches, about two 

 feet from the ground, which will either fold up 

 against the wall or take out entirely, so that per- 

 fect cleanliness and disinfection may be assured. 

 While washing down and sweeping will work well 

 for at least seven months in the year, any damp- 

 ness is very bad, in winter, at least, in the sleep- 

 ing quarters, and the disinfected sawdust which 

 may be obtained in barrels answers all purposes 

 better if it is liberally used, and swept out with 

 a very stiff broom daily. Hounds are fairly tidy 

 if given constant access to a yard, but some are 

 incorrigible offenders and defile everything. For 

 this reason the drinking water should be renewed 

 several times daily, and preferably arranged so 

 that the animals must stand on their hind legs to 

 reach it. Straw makes an excellent bedding to 



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