ADVANTAGES OF OXEN IN HUSBANDRY. 337 



performed under the direction of a. noble lord (the rival 

 candidate for this premium) will lead to the same con- 

 clusions, and rescue this most useful animal from that de- 

 graded state of inferiority, in which he has unjustly been 

 classed. 



At Midsummer last the claimant had not the most distant 

 idea of starting as a candidate ; and since that time he has 

 in no way whatever stimulated the ploughman to extra- 

 ordinary exertion. 



In letting his tillage labour by contract he has not de- Advantage of 

 parted from the uniform practice of twenty-five years. A P ,Jt)U S nm g b y 

 practice originating from an idea, that the best method of 

 making servants laborious and honest is to make it their in- 

 terest to be so. 



Encouraging however as these facts must be to the use of 

 oxen in this department of husbandry, he does not venture 

 to say, that they will answer in all countries, or ©n all soils. 



On all light sandy soils, such as Norfolk, Sutfolk, &c. On some soils 

 single ploughs of different constructions, drawn by twojj^? 5 m *J b? 

 horses without a driver, may in" cheapness of execution as oxen, 

 nearly approach the double-furrow drawn by four oxen. 

 But on all level soils unincumbered with stones, and where 

 good pasture may be found for summer, and good hay for 

 icinfer keeping, oxen with the double-plough may in his 

 opinion be considered as justly entitled to a preference. 



JOHN BILLINGSLjEY. 

 Bath, Dec. 6th, 1804. 



VI. 



On the Conversion of French Weights into English, in a 

 Letter from Mr. John Farey. 



To Mr. NICHOLSON. 

 SIR, 



A HE importance of having tables of constant reference Tables of te- 

 as free as possible from errours will I hope plead ray excuse be'correct?" 

 for troubling you on this occasion, and obtain insertion for 

 this in your Journal, in order to point out two very errone- 

 Vol. XXII.— -Supplement. Z ous 



