266 HOUSATONIC SOCIETY. 



yielded seventy bushels, or at the rate of seven hundred and 

 sixty-six bushels per acre. She sent sixty-five bushels to the 

 New York market, for which she received fifty cents per bushel. 



ELIAS WRIGHT, Chairman. 



Working Oxen. 



The chairman, as the organ of the committee, presents a few 

 suggestions on the interesting subject, which forms the basis of 

 this report. And first, farmers should be careful in the selection 

 of their breeds, as a combination of good qualities in the ox, 

 is necessary, to insure the owner a profitable return for his feed 

 and care bestowed upon him. We need in the ox, the sprightli- 

 ness and activity of the Devon, combined with the size, strength, 

 just proportions, and proneness to lay on flesh of the finest 

 quality, which we find in the well selected Durham. This 

 done, we should always bestow feed sufficient to enable him 

 with vigor, to perform the labor required, and to keep him in 

 such condition as to flesh, that we shall be able, after afl"ording 

 him a short suspension from labor, and with the bestowment of 

 a little extra feed, to fit him for the shambles. In this last par- 

 ticular, I think the most of farmers fail. It is the too general 

 opinion, that fleshy oxen cannot labor. Hence, the objection 

 so often urged, that the oxen presented for premiums, are too fat 

 to be properly called working oxen. I am no advocate for be- 

 stowing premiums on oxen as workers, that have lain at their 

 ease during the whole summer ; neither should the fact of their 

 being fat, prevent them from having a premium. The question 

 should be — have they performed a good summer's work ? If 

 this can be answered in the affirmative, and in other respects, 

 they are entitled to the reward. I say, give it, though they are 

 fat, and much credit to the owner in addition. 



MORGAN LEWIS, Chairman. 



