WORKING OXEN. 87 



fact that while they did not feci bound by any law of the society 

 to award an undeserved premium, they did feel bound to act in 

 reference to the apparently indifferent standard created and 

 recognized by preceding Committees. 



It is hoped, therefore, that competitors, and all others con- 

 cerned, will, by these qualifying remarks, be able to discern the 

 standard which your Committee recognize and feel bound to 

 uphold. 



The good teamster must have an apprehensive mind, a clearly 

 defined purpose, and a strong will. Cattle that have been 

 educated under the influence of these qualities can be relied on 

 to put forth their utmost strength, from a habit of voluntary 

 obedience — without the stimulation of whip, or any noisy 

 demonstration. No being, human or quadruped, can do its best 

 under stress of violence — it precludes confidence and courage, 

 which are the truest guarantees of the highest endeavor in man 

 or beast. 



Who knows but a glimmering belief that he can do a thing, 

 must, even in the animal, precede the actual exploit ? 



In the exercise of backing there was, with a single exception, 

 a failure to run the load back rapidly and straight, which we 

 attributed chiefly to a single cause, viz. : the driver's standing 

 too near the cattle's heads, forward, and rather scaring' them 

 back by a fussy, impetuous manner, and vigorous whipping, than 

 setting them the example by backing himself. We never saw a 

 pair so managed but would make unequal exertions in spite of 

 the anxious driver, and wing- out so as to thwart his earnest 

 purpose. Common men, crossed in their expectations under 

 such circumstances, are not likely to complacently " accept the 

 situation," and are extremely liable, under the mortification of 

 failure, to involve themselves in a complication of difficulties, 

 for which, in justice, they have only themselves to blame. Fail- 

 ure to comprehend the " modus operandi " of driving is the 

 defect of the common run of teamsters. Whoever clearly com- 

 prehends what he wishes his team to do — the how of doing it — 

 is usually possessed of tact and force to realize its execution. 

 We are often led to believe that teamsters, like poets, are " born, 

 not made ; " and yet teamstership is an art which can be 

 acquired wherever there is that passionate devotion which makes 

 adepts in other arts. Such devotion we verily believe its impor- 



