FOOD OF PUPPIES. 289 



twice ; for although there is a difference of opinion as to the 

 propriety of feeding the adult once or twice a day, there is none 

 about the puppy demanding a supply morning and evening. In 

 all cases, they should be encouraged to empty themselves (by 

 allowing a run, if they are confined to kennel) just before feed- 

 ing, and for an hour or two afterwards they are best at rest. If 

 milk is given, it may be thickened by boiling in it oatmeal or 

 wheat-flour, or both together, or biscuits may be scalded and added 

 to it ; but no flesh is needed in addition, bones only being required 

 to amuse the dog and to clean his teeth by gnawing them. 

 With these any dog may be very well reared, but the plan is an 

 expensive one, if the milk has anything like the ordinary value 

 attached to it, and if it has to. be purchased, the cost is generally 

 quite prohibitory of its employment. 



Besides milk, the following articles are employed in feeding 

 dogs, each of which will be separately considered, as to price and 

 value. Of these, Indian meal is by far the best in proportion to 

 its price (being quite equal to anything but the very best wheat- 

 flour, which is perhaps slightly more nourishing), and, being so 

 much cheaper, is, on that account, to be preferred. It requires to 

 be mixed with oatmeal, in about equal proportions, or less of the 

 latter if the bowels are at all relaxed. The usual price of Indian 

 meal is about £10 or ^12 per ton, half that of wheat and the 

 same as that of barley, to which it is greatly to be preferred, 

 being far less heating, and producing muscle in larger proportion. 

 Oatmeal is considerably dearer, though the grain itself is cheaper ; 

 but the quantity of meal obtained, owing to the amount of chaff, 

 is so small, that when this is got rid of the meal is necessarily sold 

 at a higher price, being from £\2to£i% per ton, according to the 

 season. But a much larger bulk of thick stuff, commonly called 

 " puddings," is produced by oatmeal than can be obtained from any 



