Horse Labour in France. 491 



horses average in value 38/. per horse from four to six years old ; 

 after that age they lose about 6/. in value each, every year ; their 

 annual expense in harness and shoes is about '61. each. As 

 to their food, it is extremely variable ; but taking the average 

 price of hay and corn, it may be put down at 2s. per day ; 

 this year it is fully 2^. Qd. Oxen on the contrary cost only about 

 lOrf. a day, owing to the abundant supply of mangold pulp 

 obtained from a distillery erected at the joint expense of three 

 or four neighbouring farmers. It is reckoned that four oxen are 

 equal to three horses : 9^. 6c?. a week is about the wages of a 

 labourer. 



For another department, that of Aisne, I am enabled to enter 

 into more precise details. Formerly, when the course of cropping 

 consisted of alternate wheat and bare fallow, it was considered 

 that four horses and one driver were sufficient for about 120 

 acres ; but the cultivation of beet-roots to supply the sugar 

 manufacturers has since wrought such a beneficial change in the 

 mode of husbandry in that district, that an improved system of 

 tillage, deeper cultivation, and more frequent manipulation of 

 the soil, together with carrying roots to the factory, and bringing 

 bac\ pulp as fodder for the cattle, have necessitated a more 

 numerous team of horses. The same team of four horses and 

 one driver are therefore now required for every 80 acres in 

 cultivation ; that is, one horse per 20 acres. 



An eminent agriculturist in that department informs me that 

 he keeps 21 horses and 15 oxen for about 400 acres, the agent's 

 riding-horse included. They are kept in the following manner : — 



In winter they have each per day 



6 quarts of oats. 

 5 lbs. of grass hay. 

 5 lbs. of clover hay. 

 2^ lbs. of wheat straw. 

 1 bundle of bean straw. 

 1 lb. of bran. 



The whole is cut, bruised, mixed, and fermented, together with 

 |lb. of salt for each horse, twice a week. 



In summer the only difference is the increase in the quantity 

 of oats, from 6 to 10 quarts. 



The working oxen are fed in the followins: manner : — 



56 lbs. beet-root pulp. 



2 J lbs. grass hay. 



4J lbs. clover hay. 



4j lbs. cut straw. 



2i lbs. bruised barley. 



3i lbs. rape or linseed cake. 



The whole is cut, mixed, and fermented as above, with a dose 

 of salt twice a week. In winter the oxen work the same time as 



2 K 2 



