U S E O F O X E N . 157 



least three gallons of pfrain a day, and for six months in the year one 

 hundred and twesity-tive pounds cf hay per week. Supposing him to 

 be at work only two-thirds of his time, and during the remainder to 

 be kent on hay or pasture alone, he must consume upwards of ninety 

 bushels of grain, and two thousand eight hundred and seventy-five 

 j.ounds of hay in a year, which latter is amply sufficient, with such 

 pasture as the horse must have, (and some additional coarse food in 

 the winter), to keep the ox in prime order for work without ihe use 

 of any grain. Thus it appears, that for every ox substituted for a 

 horse, there are ninety bushels of grain saved in the year. 



From data given, Mr. Stabler shows a saving on four oxen instead 

 of four horses in twelve years, o{ two thousand four hundred andjjiy 

 dollars — and concludes his observations on the subject with this 

 wholesome advice : — 



" It cannot be too strongl}^ urged upon those who are about em- 

 barkinn- in agricultural pursuits as a means of securing a livelihood, 

 (and who may be free from many of the prejudices entertained against 

 oxen), to make the experiment at least, and give the thing 2. fair 

 irinU before they encumber themselves with that moih^ a stock of 

 farm-horses ; in doing which, it will easily be seen they hazard no- 

 thing ; for should any wish to abandon the plan after a sufficient 

 trial, one summer's grass will enable them to obtain, in cash, an ad- 

 vance on the first cost of theii cattle, if young and thrifty ; and su lj 

 are always to be had." 



J. S. S 



14 



