FARM CONVEYANCES 181 



chains are brought together to a ring and are just about 

 long enough to form an equilateral triangle with the 

 front end of the stone-boat. Cast-iron fronts usually 

 have a projection in the center for the clevis hitch. 



OXEN ON A NEW ENGLAND FARM 



One of the most interesting experiences on a New 

 England farm is to get acquainted with the manner in 

 which oxen are pressed into farm service. One reason 

 why oxen have never gone out of fashion in New Eng- 

 land is the fact that they are patient enough to plow 

 stony ground without smashing the plow. 



A great deal of New England farm land has been re- 

 claimed by removing a portion of the surface stone. 

 In the processes of freezing and thawing and cultiva- 

 tion, stones from underneath keep working up to the 

 surface so that it requires considerable skill to do the 

 necessary plowing and cultivating. Oxen ease the 

 plowpoint over or around a rock so it can immediately 

 dip in again to the full depth of the furrow. A good 

 yoke of cattle well trained are gentle as well as strong 

 and powerful. 



Oxen are cheaper than horses to begin with and 

 they are valuable for beef when they are not needed 

 any longer as work animals. The Holstein breed seems 

 to have the preference for oxen with New England 

 farmers. The necessary harness for a pair of cattle 

 consists of an ox yoke with a ringbolt through the cen- 

 ter of the -yoke, midway between the two oxen. A 

 heavy iron ring about five inches in diameter, made of 

 round iron, hangs from the ring bolt. There are two 

 oxbows to hold the yoke in place on the necks of the 

 cattle. A logging chain with a round hook on one end 



