TRAIN SCENTS
,—formerly so called, but now more frequently termed drags, are means by which young hounds may be first entered with old hounds; a body of hounds exercised upon heaths or commons, soon after dawn of day in the summer season: or bets may be decided upon the speed of either HOUNDS or HORSES, by means of such drag or train scent. They are of different kinds, and very few hounds will refuse to hunt them: when the scent lies well, the wind is still, and the atmosphere free from variation by storms or rain, they will carry it breast high. The skin of hare or fox, newly killed; a slice of bacon, and a red herring firmly united; or either, plentifully impregnated with oil of aniseed; will lead hounds in full cry across any country over which the drag is directed.