THE SPORTSMAN S VADE MECUM. 27 



go or come. Feed her well with boiled oatmeal in prefer- 

 ence to corn meal — more of this anon in the feeding depart- 

 ment, mixed in good rich broth, just lukewarm, twice a 

 day. About the ninth day the pups begin to see, and at a 

 month old they will lap milk. This they ought to be 

 encouraged to do as soon as possible,, as it saves the mother 

 vastly. At six weeks, or at most seven, they are fit to wean. 



FEEDING PUPS AND WEANING-. LICE. TEATS RUBBED. 



Feed them entirely on bread and milk, boiled together to 

 pulp. Shut them in a warm place, the spare stall of a 

 stable, boarded up at the end. Examine them to see whether 

 they are lousy, as they almost always are. A decoction of 

 tobacco water (vide receipt) kills them off. Rub the bitch's 

 teats with warm vinegar twice a day till they are dried up. 

 If this be not done, there is great danger of their becoming 

 caked, besides causing her to suffer severely. She must 

 have a mild dose of salts, say half an ounce, repeated after 

 the third day. When the weather is fine, the young pups 

 should be turned out of doors to run about. Knock out the 

 head of a barrel, in which put a little straw, so that they 

 may retire to sleep when they feel disposed. Feed them 

 three times a day, and encourage them to run about as much 

 as possible. Nothing produces crooked legs more than 

 confinement, nothing ill grown weeds more than starvation ; 

 so that air, liberty, exercise, and plenty of food are all 

 equally essential to the successful rearing of fine, handsome 

 dogs. Above all things, never frighten, nor yet take undue 

 notice of one over the rest. Accustom them to yourseli 



