AQlilCULTURE AND THE HORSE. 351 



a matter of business to an agricultural community, as 

 well as of pleasure to the patrons of our society." 



This remark, which seemed to be innocent enough, 

 and had, in fact, been often made before without at- 

 tracting particular attention, appeared to fall with un- 

 usual force upon the minds of the little assembly, and to 

 displace the charming listlessness which pervaded it 

 with something slightly sterner and more thoughtful. 



The Hon. Justus Jones was the first to speak. He 

 had not taken an active part in the discussions thus far, 

 but had impressed his associates as a modest, moderate 

 gentleman, desirous of securing the success of the soci- 

 ety, and placing the agricultural interests on a firm and 

 controlling foundation. 



SPEECH OF THE HOX. JUSTUS JONES. 



"Mr. Chairman," said Mr. Jones, half rising, and 

 then settling back into his seat, as if his audience was 

 too small for an upright orator, — "Mr. Chairman, I have 

 listened to the proposition, or rather the remark, which 

 you have just made ; and I am not prepared to say that 

 you are not correct. But I am not much of a horseman. 

 There has been but little love of horses in my family. 

 We have never owned a very good horse. In fact, the 

 stock of my farm has never been large ; and I cannot 

 say that it has been in any way remarkable. Large, 

 heavy oxen are expensive : a small yoke answers every 

 purpose. Medium animals, fairish cows, oxen that do 

 not command fancy prices, are the best, as we think, 



