128 Comparison between Horses and Oxen, 



The next objection is, that oxen are not calculated for the whole 

 work of a farm. But here a distinction must be made between large 

 and small occupations. Farmers who cultivate a great extent of 

 ground, who pay full rents, and who live by their business, are al- 

 most universally of opinion, that the use of oxen alone would never 

 answer, and indeed the total dismission of horses has been rarely 

 thought of or attempted *. For long journeys, and distant carriages, 

 oxen are considered quite unfit, for they must have time to rumi- 

 nate f ; nor can they well be employed, unless they are shod, either 

 in frosty weather, or on rough and stony roads J. 



In regard to small farms, the expense of purchasing and maintaining 

 horses is a severe burden upon them ; and though it may be desirable 

 to have a horse to go to market, yet for the labour of the farm in ge- 

 neral, oxen cannot be too much recommended . 



Another objection is, the loss of labour, on the part of the servant, 

 where oxen are employed, which an eminent farmer calculates at 

 from one-third to one-fourth of his wages || . 



The last objection to the use of oxen is, the great quantity of good 

 land that would be required for their rearing and maintenance ; where- 

 as it is desirable, to prefer that species of stock, that would furnish 

 the greatest quantity of labour, from the smallest quantity of fertile 

 soil, beginning with the animal at his birth. 



Minute calculations have been made to ascertain this point, which, 

 on the whole, are in favour of horses, as they will work out, in all, 

 three successive pairs of oxen ^[. 



Independently of the same work being done by a much smaller 

 number of horses, they have, in several other respects, advantages 

 over oxen. 1. They are better fitted for harrowing, a quick step 

 being requisite to accelerate the pulverization of the soil : 2. During 

 the harvest season, when expedition is so indispensably necessary, 

 horses are greatly to be preferred : 3. Oxen do not continue for any 



* His late Majesty George the Third devoted much attention to the culti- 

 vation of a considerable tract of land near Windsor. He used horses long 

 enough to ascertain the heavy expense they work at, and he changed them all 

 for oxen. It appears, that it required one hundred and seven oxen to do the 

 labour of the farm. They were fed on hay and straw, for twenty-six weeks in 

 the year, and on grass during the remainder. The saving by oxen was at 

 the rate of L.513 per annum, besides the value of the oxen disabled by acci- 

 dent, difference in attendance, and fewer casualties. Annals of Agriculture, 

 vol. xxxii. p. 168, where the details will be found. The only doubt is, whether 

 the horses were fed economically, and properly worked. 



f Some maintain, that if oatmeal were given to oxen, it would enable them 

 to undergo much longer journeys, and, in that respect, to approach nearer to 

 horses. But still some rumination would be necessary. 



J Lord Somerville asserted, that oxen could execute road-work, even of the 

 severest nature ; but he afterwards admitted, that they were liable to slight 

 strains and lameness, arising from travelling on such roads. 



Farmer's Magazine, vol. xiv. p. 42. 



[( If the wages of a farm servant, every thing included, is 2s. per day, it is 

 maintained, that from 6d. to 8d. per day is lost, if he is employed in working 

 oxen, instead of horses. 



^f General Report of Scotland, vol. iii. p. 1 98, where this point is minutely 

 examined. 



