[ 79 ] 



It is the general opinion of farmers in this district, that oxen arc 

 preferable to horses for the purposes of ploughing, but for harrow* 

 uig and all other purposes the contrary. 



The expences of keeping a team of each may be thus stated, and 

 it will -appear that the superiority of oxen is not so great, as some 

 sanguine men have stated. 



Horse team (4) the first cost including harness cannot be esti- 

 mated at less than 100I. 



To 30 weeks keeping at hay, 1 i ton at 40s. . . 



Corn throughout the year 



To 22 weeks keeping at grass, at 3s. 6d. each horse 



Repairs of harness 



Farrier and shoeing 



£ • 7 6 o Q 



OX TEAM (6) 



The first cost of these, supposing them to be of the bed North 



Devon breed, and four or five years old, yokes, bows, and chains 

 included, 70I. 



£. s. d. 



To 26 weeks at hay. 24 ton at 40s. ..... 48 o o 



26 ditto at grass, 2s. 6d. per week each ox . . 19 10 o 



Repair of yokes and bows, and chains ... o 10 o 



£. 68 



Some farmers think that three horses are equal in exertion to six 

 oxen ; if that be admitted, the expences of the horse team, will be 

 less than those of the oxen. 



If an accident should happen whereby a horse is lamed, the value 

 is much more lessened than in the case of an ox j but in all other 

 respects, they stand on equal ground ; for horses, if purchased at 

 the age of four or five years, are improving in value for two or 

 three years, as much, or more, than oxen. And every intelligent 



L 2 farmer 



