32 MASSACHUSEtTS AGRICULTURE. 



hard work. If it is because of poor keeping, tliey will thrive 

 and fatten on good living. But nine times in ten cattle are 

 thin and lank either from daintiness or hard work. There 

 is nothing more provoking than to see cattle poke over their 

 feed, only eating the choicest bits ; and it is almost impossible 

 to fatten such stock. And, as far as profit is concerned, one 

 might about as well turn his grain into a rat-hole as to feed 

 it to cattle that have been worked down tliin on good keep- 

 ing. If one finds himself possessed of such a pair, he cannot 

 easily sell them for work, and cannot fatten them in any 

 reasonable time, and he concludes that ox-labor is very un- 

 jDrofitable. 



Instead of buying such stock because it seems cheap, we 

 believe it better economy to purchase young, thrifty, good- 

 shaped stock, already in condition to make decent beef. The 

 first cost may be a little greater ; but so will be the receipts 

 when they are sold. If they are fat, good provender will 

 keep them so ; and the chances are, that they will continue to 

 gain. If they do not work well, they can be sold any day to 

 the butcher for the market-j^rice. It will also generally be 

 found that good-natured, docile animals — such as take on fat 

 readily, and " keep themselves well " — are the best workers. 

 The fractious, high-tempered cattle worry more at their work, 

 are more liable to be abused by drivers, and consequently do 

 not thrive as well. 



We have found too, that oxen fat enough for the butcher, 

 if good shaped and thrifty, stand the heat better than thin 

 ones. 



Other points, such as the breed of cattle best for farm- 

 work, the most economical mode of feeding, and kindred 

 questions, might be discussed ; but this paper is of sufficient 

 length. To sum it all up, we believe that every farmer will 

 do well to consider whether or not it is prudent for him to 

 employ oxen instead of horses ; and also, if he decides to do 

 so, that he should be careful in his purchase, and see whether, 

 in the matter of oxen, it is not cheapest in the long-run to 

 buy the best. 



Jos. S. Howe, Chairman. 



