GENERAL MANAGEMENT. 9 



produces in him a like result ; he accommodates himself to it 

 because he is artificialized ; give him the bare ground for his 

 bed, expose him to bleak cold winds, and allow no shelter 

 from wet, and disease will inevitably follow. 



The kennel, then, should be dry, sunny, and cheerful ; this 

 is especially necessary for puppies, for the circumstances 

 under which they attain their growth, as will be hereafter 

 mentioned, will influence their disposition when they arrive 

 at maturity. 



The benches should be elevated at least eighteen inches 

 above the ground, and the planks either drilled with holes or 

 placed an inch apart for the escape of wet, and for ventila- 

 tion of the bed. A strip of wood along the edge will keep 

 the bedding on, and prevent puppies from slipping off. To 

 insure dryness of the walls, I nail boarding round, with shav- 

 ings between. 



With regard to the flooring, cement undoubtedly forms the 

 best and cleanest. Many different opinions have been ex- 

 pressed as to ■''•hat it should be covered with. Sand is not 

 unfrequently recommended ; this, however, is not good for 

 dogs' feet, it creates irritation between the toes, and gives rise 

 to what is known in cattle as "foul." Fine shavings or saw- 

 dust are decidedly preferable, and should be put down fresh 

 every morning after first removing the soiled materials. A 

 little clean bedding scattered over the latter to give it an ap- 

 pearance of cleanliness, is like wearing a clean shirt on a dirty 

 body, or gloves on filthy hands — the evil is still there, dis- 

 guised. . 



Washing or swilling down the floor is a necessary oflSce, 

 but it is often carried to extremes, and then becomes an evil 

 by engendering continual damp, and acting as a fruitful source 

 of rheumatism and kennel-lameness. Once a week is quite 

 " often enough for this duty. After the place has been thor- 

 oughly swept and mopped, I always have ashes thrown over 

 the floor; these absorb any wet that may have lodged in 

 sunken places or between the bricks, and in old, somewhat 



