134 ON DRAUGHT OXEN. 



draw fuch inferences as to him may feem ra- 

 tional, but let it be no longer faid we want 

 information upon the fubjecl. I do not mean, 

 however, to arrogate any merit of difcovery 

 to myfelf, fmce, in this cafe, I profefs to be 

 guided by the information of others. Let it 

 te confidered, that the number of horf^ em- 

 ployed in agriculture, and for the different 

 purpofes of flow draught, in Britain, probably 

 exceeds one million five hundred thou- 

 sand, and that if only one half of thefe could 

 with propriety be changed into good whole- 

 fome beef, how immenfe mud be the faving ; 

 it being taken into the account, that the time 

 approaches, with fearful ftrides, when national 

 ceconomy alone can fave us from impending 

 deftru6lion ! In two refpe6^s, I may perhaps 

 pretend to fome little originality of thinking 

 on this fubjecl. ; to wit, on the more liberal 

 feeding, and the breeding the ox to greater 

 fpeed. Every one who has entered into the 

 philofophy of laborious exertion, and attended 

 the praftice, whether in men or animals, muft 

 be convinced how much it depends upon am- 

 ple and folid nutriment. Every adept in the 

 myfteries of the flable, well knows how contri- 

 butory are cleanlinefs, and keeping the perfpi- 

 • ration open and free by regular diurnal fric- 

 tions, to the nimblenefs and hilarity of the 

 animal. In regard to raifmg a variety of the 



ox. 



