by their age, the earlier they are born the more chance they have in competition with their fellows of the same year. Hounds and game dogs are wanted to begin work in the autumn, and as they do not come to maturity till after they are a year old, they should be whelped in the spring. This is more especially the case with pointers and setters, which are then old enough to have their education nearly completed at "pairing time" in the spring of the next year, when only their breaking can properly be carried on, as birds then lie like stones and allow the dog to be reached, and properly kept under by his breaker. Toy dogs, and all small dogs, which are reared in the house, may be bred almost at any time of the year, but even they are stronger and healthier if born in the summer months, because the puppies may then be supposed to get more air and sun than they could do in the winter, when the warmth of the fire is essential to their well-doing.

DURATION OF HEAT.

The duration of the period of heat in the bitch is about three weeks, during the middle week of which she will generally take the dog; but about the eleventh or twelfth day from the first commencement, is, on the average, the best time to put her to him. During the first three or four days of the middle week the bitch "bleeds" considerably from the vulva, and while this is

going on she should not be allowed access to the male, nor will she generally if left to herself, but as soon as it subsides, no time should be lost, as it often happens that very shortly afterwards she will refuse him altogether, and thus a whole year may be lost. Most bitches are "in heat" twice a year, at equal periods, some every five, or even every four, months; others every seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, or twelve months; but the far greater proportion of bitches of all breeds are "in season " twice a year pretty regularly. There is, therefore, a necessity for ascertaining the rule in each bitch, as it varies so considerably; for, when it is known, the calculation can better be made as to the probability of the heat returning at the desired time. The period between the first and second "heats" will generally indicate the length of the succeeding ones, but this is not invariable, as the "putting by" of the animal will sometimes throw her out of her regular course.

MANAGEMENT OF THE BITCH IN SEASON.

When bitches are not intended to breed, they are carefully "put by," that is to say, they are secluded from the dog, and during that time they are in great measure deprived of their usual exercise. From this circumstance they are very apt to get out of health, and some injury is thereby done to their offspring

as well as themselves. At this time they ought, from their general feverishness, as well as from their deprivation of exercise, to be kept rather lower than usual, and very little meat should be given. Slops and vegetables, mixed with biscuit or oatmeal, form the most suitable diet; but, if the bitch has been accustomed to a great deal of flesh, it will not do to deprive her of it altogether. Bearing in mind then this caution, it is only necessary to remember that she must be lowered in condition, but not so starved as to do harm by the sudden change. After the end of the period, a little cooling medicine will often be required, consisting of a dose of oil or salts. (See Aperients.)

MANAGEMENT OF THE BITCH IN WHELP.

When it is clearly ascertained that the bitch is in whelp, the exercise should be increased and carried on freely till the sixth week, after which it should be daily given, but with care to avoid strains either in galloping or jumping. A valuable bitch is often led during the last week, but somehow or other she ought to have walking exercise to the last, by which in great measure all necessity for opening medicine will be avoided. During the last few weeks her food should be regulated by her condition, which must be raised if she is too low, or the reverse if she is too fat, the desired medium being such a state as is

compatible with high health, and neither tending towards exhaustion nor inflammation. Excessive fat in a bitch not only interferes with the birth of the pups, but also is very liable to interfere with the secretion of milk, and, if this last does happen, aggravates the attendant or "milk" fever. To know by the eye and hand how to fix upon this proper standard, it is only necessary to feel the ribs, when they should at once be apparent to the hand, rolling loosely under it, but not evident to the eye so as to count them. It is better to separate the bitch from other dogs during the last week or ten days, as she then becomes restless, and is instinctively and constantly looking for a place to whelp in, whereas, if she is prevented from occupying any desirable corner she is uneasy. At this time the food should be of a very sloppy nature, chiefly composed of broth, or milk and bread, adding oatmeal according to the state of the bowels.

PREPARATION FOR WHELPING.

The best mode of preparing a place for the bitch to whelp in is to nail a piece of old carpet over a smooth boarded floor, to a regular "bench," if in a sporting kennel; or on a door or other flat piece of board raised a few inches from the ground, if for any other breed. When a regular wooden box or kennel, as these are called in ordinary language, is used for the bitch, she may as well continue to occupy it, as she will be more

contented than in a fresh place; but it is not so easy to get at her there if anything goes wrong with either mother or whelps, and on that account it is not a desirable place. A board, large or small, according to the size of the bitch, with a raised edge to prevent the puppies rolling off, and supported by bricks a few inches from the ground, is all that is required for the most valuable animal; and if a piece of carpet, as before mentioned, is tacked upon this, and some straw placed upon all, the height of comfort is afforded to both mother and offspring. The use of the carpet is to allow the puppies to catch their claws in it as they are working at the mother's teats; for without it they slip over the board, and they are restless, and unable to fill themselves well; while at the same time they scratch all the straw away, and are left bare and cold.

HEALTHY PARTURITION.

During whelping, the only management required is in regard to food and quiet, which last should as far as possible be enjoined, as at this time all bitches are watchful and suspicious, and will destroy their young if they are at all interfered with, especially by strangers. While the process of labour is going on no food is required, unless it is delayed in an unnatural manner, when the necessary steps will be found described in the Third Book.

After it is completed, some lukewarm gruel,