CHAPTER XXIV. 



WORKING OXEN. 



INDISPENSABLE for draft in many laborious occupations, aside 

 from farm work, the ox is quite as valuable in aiding our indus- 

 try, as the horse. We have read much that has been written on 

 the comparative economy of ox and horse labor on the farm, and 

 elsewhere, without arriving at any satisfactory conclusion, other 

 than that circumstances must control the employment of either 

 to the exclusion of the other, or that they may both be profit- 

 ably used in different labors. On rough and stony soils, the ox 

 is almost indispensable in farm labor, while he is there more 

 profitable than the horse. In various other labors of draft, as 

 lumbering, mining, and on roads, in certain localities, he is equally 

 available, and more economical. 



His advantages are, cheapness in cost; easy to keep; simpli- 

 city, as well as cheapness in his gear; patience, and endurance 

 under labor ; less liability to accident ; safety against loss, or 

 straying when turned to pasture ; and, when done as a worker, 

 the conversion of his carcass into beef. All know his value who 

 have need of his labor ; yet, but a part of those who employ 

 him, are aware of his greatly increased value under proper treat- 

 ment. No laboring beast is so much abused not excepting the 

 mule as the ox. His patience, endurance, and fidelity under 

 rough usage, gives him many a hard and neglectful master, who 

 sins either through ignorance or brutality, against the generous 

 nature of the brute, when care and kindness would add both to 

 his utility, and profit. 



