CATTLE. 385 



to mill and to market, but for plowing and hauling on the farm 

 a properly broken ox team is to be preferred. If the young 

 oxen are trained to a quick step, in a light cart they will do 

 their work as quickly as a horse team. 



They will stand more continuous hard work with less liability 

 to disease, or accident. It is not hard Avork that worries the 

 ox, but the continual whipping and bawling to which many 

 "hands " treat them. An ox can be trained to go by the word 

 just as well, and better than by the whip. Let us compare the 

 advantages of the two teams. In the first place, the horses cost 

 twice as much as the oxen ; their harness costs more ; they are 

 more liable to disease and accident, to run away and smash 

 wagon, harness, and their own necks. And when the horse is 

 lamed and his service at an end, he is good for nothing but his 

 hide, while the oxen, after two or three years' service, can be put 

 in the stall for a few weeks, and men sold for enough to buy a 

 young and vigorous pair to replace them. 



Some writers also claim that the ox costs less to keep, but 

 we think he ought to cost just as much, and have juai as much 

 and as good feed as the horse. Give him grain and he will give 

 you work, manure, and finally beef. 



In this way oxen can be made to pay a profit, while the 

 horses are wearing out. From six to ten years of age the oxen 

 steadily increase in value, and -vvhen too old for service will 

 bring a profit for beef. Lest we be misunderstood here, we repeat 

 that where time is an object, as in going distances, the horses are 

 to be preferred, and if a farmer keeps but one team it must be 

 horses. 



The Devon's make, all things considered, the best cattle for 

 the farmer. They are not large enough for the heaviest work, 

 but no ox of his size equals him in strength, activity, perseve- 

 rance, or willingness. A cross between the Devons and some 



