NEAT OR HORNED CATTLE. 287 



the brutes could change places, long enough at least to teach 

 the biped, that humanity by his own sufferings, which his 

 reason and sensibility have failed to inspire. Clear and intel- 

 ligible, yet low and gentle words, are all that are necessary 

 to guide the woll-trnined, spirited ox. The stick, or whip is 

 mvded rather to indicate the precise movement desired, 

 than as a stimulant, or means of punishment. The ox under- 

 stands a moderate tone more perfectly than a boisterous one; 

 for all sounds become indistinct as they augment. He loses 

 his sensitiveness as the drivers voice increases, till at last he 

 becomes almost as brutal. It is of great advantage to have 

 oxen well trained to backing. They may soon be taught by 

 beginning with an empty cart on a descent ; then on a level; 

 then with an increasing load, or up-hill, till the cattle will 

 back nearly the same load they will draw. Some oxen have 

 a bad trick of hauling or crowding. Changing to opposite 

 sides, longer or shorter yokes, and more than all, gentle treat- 

 ment are the only remedies, and those not unfrequently fail. 

 Cattle will seldom contract this habit, in the hands of a judi- 

 cious, careful driver. The yokes should be carefully made 

 and set easy, and the bows fitted to the necks and properly 

 attached to the yoke. Cattle are liable to sore necks if used 

 in a storm, and when subject to this exposure, they must be 

 well rubbed with grease, where the yoke chafes them, and 

 respite from work should be alowed till the necks heal. 



TriK PROPER TOIE FOR TURNING OFF CATTLE, UlUSt depend 



on their previous feeding and management, the breed, and the 

 purposes required. The improved breeds and many of their 

 crosses, will mature for the butcher as fully at three or four, as 

 inferior cattle at five to seven years old. If pushed rapidly 

 with proper food, they will of course be ripe much sooner 

 than if stinted. When cattle have to be purchased for work, 

 or cows for the dairy, it becomes an object to keep them as 

 iong as they can be made profitable, and yet be turned off for 

 fattening at a fair price. We have seen active and spririted 

 oxen in the yoke at 16 or 17 ; but they seldom do as well 

 after 12 or even 10 years. Old cattle are liable to more dis- 

 eases than young, are less hardy, and recover more slowly 

 when exposed to scanty feed or hard usage. They also fat- 

 ten with more difficulty, and their meat is inferior. When 

 they can be sold advantageously to the feeder, and replaced 

 without inconvenience, it is found to be most profitable to 

 turn them off at 7 or 8 years. They will by that time have 

 attained lull maturity, they will feed rapidly, and make the 



