5 ee 
Iwas glad to find that oxen are often ufed in 
agriculture here ; and the breed are of two kinds: 
thofe on the weftern fide of the county are chiefly 
from the red ox of Devonfhire, an excellent fort ;+ 
and the others in the more eaftern and northern 
parts, are a mixture of the Hampfhire and Wilt- 
fhire, with many crofles of the Oxfordfhire, Glou- 
cefterfhire, Shropfhire, and North-country beatts. 
As 
OS a 
be right to encourage all, or various growths, for fimilar purpofes in 
fimilar fituations: and there is fo great a difference between the exs 
pence of a horfe far too big and heavy, and one of fufficient fize to 
anfwer the end, (whether we confider the Aeeping, the movement, or 
the cafualty which attaches to large and coftly horfes) that the pre- 
judice for /hew feems to require much correction. Itisa known fa& 
refpecting this animal, that ftrength of bone and finew is not in pro- 
portion to largenefs of fize; but they are found to be denfe and ftrong 
as the horfe approaches in finenefs, even to the racer. And thofe far~ 
mers who have made clofe remarks on this fubje@, and have given a 
fair trial to the lower compact horfes, not fifteen hands high, but 
of good f{vmmetry, have found and muft find their account in ufing 
them. Perhaps a ftronger proof cannot well be urged in favour of 
a diminifhed fize, than the well known capability for great labour, 
even of the {mall horfes of the New Foreft, when trained to waggon 
ufes.—This is a fa&t which, if duly reafoned from, would remove much 
prejudice, and do much fervice to the country. One ftrong induces 
ment to many capital farmers to breed and train colts of the largeft fizey 
is the demand for dray-hor'‘fes in the capital, and the large prices they 
bring: but thefe inducements cannot operate generally ; and perhaps, 
in moll inflances where they do operate, they influence too far for in- 
dividual or general advantage. Epiror. 
+ The foregoing remarks on the horfe will, in fome degree, apply 
to the Devonthire ox, as a creature for labour in agriculture.—They 
have confefledly the advantage over larger oxen, for expedition and , 
continued 
P ei 
