MAINE STATE SOCIETY. 9^ 



ESSAY 



On the Comparative Value of Horses and Oxen for Farm Labor. 



BY N. FOSTER. 



To the Committee of the Maine State Agricultural Society on Essays : 



Gentlemen : — With some hesitancy I enter the competition for 

 the premium offered for an "Essay on the comparative value of 

 horses, mules and oxen for farm labor;" but believing that literary 

 productions "which shall excel in elegance of diction are not the 

 objects sought by the Society, in offering premiur&s on agricultural 

 subjects, — I employ a hand more accustomed to the use of the plo-w, 

 than the pen, in writing out my views on the subject in question. 



The subject which I have selected is becoming increasingly impor- 

 tant, not merely to the farmer, but to the whole community, as prices 

 of agricultural and other products advance ; and if any thoughts I may 

 present in this communication shall be the means of aiding, in any 

 degree, to bring about a reform, to correct an error, or to advance a 

 system already in operation, which will lead to valuable results, I 

 shall feel that my labor is not in vain. 



In instituting a comparison of the advantages of horses and oxen 

 for farm labor, I assume that oxen or steers are as capable of remu- 

 nerating their owners, by their labor, for food and care, at two and 

 a half, or three years old, as horses are at four years old, and that 

 the expense of rearing, or cost of purchase of good animals at those 

 ages is, for oxen $75 to $100, and for horses $200 to $250 a pair. 



From these premises, I make an estimate of their comparative 

 value, carried through a period of twenty-four years, which covers 

 the ordinary term of active service of the horse. 



Suppose formers A and B have each a farm requiring the labor 

 of a pair of horses, or a pair of oxen. These men are equally good 

 husbandmen, supply plenty of food of the proper kinds ; and in all 

 respects treat the animals in a manner to render them the most ser- 

 viceable and profitable. A selects oxen and has on hand a pair of 



