38 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



THE EDUCATION OF THE OX. 



From an Essay delivered before the Worcester North Agricultural Society. 



BY A. B. DAVIS, OF SHIRLET. 



" Their strength, or speed, or Tigilance, were given 

 In aid of our defects." — Cowper. 



The employment of the term " Education," I am aware, 

 implies knowledge and a certain capability of moral progression ; 

 but it might as well be at once understood that, while taking 

 issue with this position, I recognize and accept the implication 

 of truth, in the remark attributed to Sidney Smith, that " there 

 is no other animal but man to whom mind appears to be given 

 for any other purpose than the preservation of the body." 

 Twenty years' experience with beasts of burden, has put me in 

 possession of facts which prove them susceptible of education 

 and moral improvement to a degree considerably outrunning 

 the popular apprehension. 



To elucidate these facts and call attention to a new source of 

 good and pecuniary wealth to the agriculturist, is the object 

 of this paper. Of course it is not practicable to give the full 

 modus operandi of training upon the basis of the positions 

 assumed, but I hope by originality of treatment to awaken 

 interest in a science which must, I am persuaded, form no 

 ■unimportant branch of the practically progressive farmer's 

 education. 



Much of the maltreatment to which domestic animals are 

 subject, is owing to ignorance of the true conditions of suc- 

 cessful management; but I propose to urge the discipline of 

 animals solely on the score of economy, leaving out of view, for 

 the present, the moral aspect of the case. Pecuniary profit we 

 suppose to be the farmer's object in the breeding and rearing of 

 animals. Let us see. A man breeds and rears a pair of steers 

 for ordinary farm work. Other things being equal, a pair 



