ON DRAUGHT OXEN. I35 



ox^ with the qualification of more than the 

 ufual aftivity, where (liould be the difficuky, 

 fince we have been - long accuftomed to vary 

 and mould him at pleafure into fuch differing 

 {l:iapes and forms, as caprice or interefl has 

 prompted ? Perhaps thofe gentlemen who have 

 been in the habits of breeding hor-fes for the 

 turf, would fucceed beft in this purfuit : it is of 

 great national importance, and not unworthy 

 the attention of ihe good Lord Egremont, or 

 the patriotic Duke of Bedford. Thofe noble 

 lords, who have fo great an intereft in the 

 profperity of the country, and in the affeftions 

 of their countrymen, ftand, as well becomes 

 them, at the head of. the firfl: clafs of agricul- 

 tural improvers, and are making the mod 

 fpirited exertions to perfect the breed of live 

 (lock. The Earl of Egremont has given orders 

 to return to fuch of his tenants as fhall have 

 performed the whole labour of their farms 

 with oxen, three per cent, upon the annual 

 rent ; an example highly delerving of imita- 

 tion. 



This inftant a number of the Annals of 

 Agriculture, my favourite monthly recreation, 

 is put into my hands. Mr. Arthur Young, 

 jun. (I prefume the Rev. A. Young) after there 

 Hating, that the labouring ox, with proper 

 management, gains two or three pounds ^^r 

 year, whilfl: the horfe grows annually w^orfe, 



obferves. 



