96 • COURSING 



It will now be found an excellent plan to divide the saplings 

 intb; three classes, keeping them in separate compartments, and 

 placing the best accommodation at the service of Class I., which 

 will consist of well-tried youngsters and those who from their 

 quality, conformation, breeding or style of moving promise great 

 things. Class II. will contain promising but backward ones, in 

 whom time may work wonders, and who, as they come on in 

 looks, or win a satisfactory trial, may be promoted to the 

 superior class. Class III. will consist of very backward ones, 

 and such as lack size and substance, or show but little quality, 

 but whom one is loth to part with, living in hopes that they 

 may see a better day ; and it is far from improbable that a gem 

 may suddenly be discovered in this ragged company. It is 

 wonderful what strides very late puppies take when once they 

 begin to improve, and the ugly duckling may yet develop swan's 

 plumage. But the maim, the halt, and the blind, and such 

 as have, with every advantage thrown in, failed signally in 

 their trials, should be destroyed, or bestowed on a neighbouring 

 farmer who enjoys a sporting course on his own land ; for a grey- 

 hound that ' is not good enough ' is good for nothing from a 

 courser's point of view. We are quite aware how difficult it is 

 to make up one's mind thus summarily to dispose of a dog of 

 whom from his earUest days great things have been expected, 

 and whom we have trotted out with pomp and pride. We make 

 all sorts of excuses for his failure, and are always giving him 

 'another chance.' Undue precipitancy may once in a way 

 lead us to dispose of what subsequently proves to be a smart 

 dog, but in nine cases out of ten we shall not repent the loss, 

 and a long bill for food, entrances, travelling expenses, with 

 zero on the credit side, will be avoided. 



When the season has finally closed and the erstwhile sap- 

 lings (now puppies) have been thoroughly weeded out, a good 

 dose of sulphur or fluid magnesia can be given, and a dressing 

 of black sulphur and vaseline applied from head to foot. 

 They can now rest awhile from long exercise on the roads, 

 but should be taken out for at least an hour daily and allowed 



