SUMMER [Chap. 



see patience exercised, and all violence and 

 rough and loud language avoided, and with at- 

 tention to it himself, the breaking-in of a young 

 ox is a matter of very little difficulty. In the first 

 place, he should be kept for some time in com- 

 pany with the working oxen when they are not 

 at work ; he should feed them in the same pas- 

 ture, or out of the same cribs in the yard. Then 

 he should be tied up in a stall, for a month or 

 so, every night by the side of one of the working 

 oxen, and always the same ox, and on the sam^e 

 side of him. Then the collar (if collars be used) 

 should be put on him, and he might wear it con- 

 stantly. By-and-bye the rest of the harness. 

 Then, he should be led out with the harness on, 

 walking still on the same side of the same work- 

 ing ox. If yokes be used, he should be led yoked 

 with the other ox without any thing to draw. 

 The plough is the great doctor for horses as well 

 as for oxen ; for here there is no room, and no 

 danger of injury to any thing. When first put 

 to plough, the ground should be rather light, and 

 the young ox should hardly feel that he has any 

 thing behind him. If, however, he be stubborn, 

 there should be no blows, and no loud scolding. 

 Stop, pat him, and pat the other ox, and he will 

 presently move on again and pull a little. If he 

 lie down, which he sometimes will, let him lie 

 till he be tired, and when he chooses to get up 



