THE EDUCATION OF THE OX. 39 



" trained up in tlie way they should go," would not attain 

 greater size than if left in natural and lawless freedom ; but 

 symmetrical development and ease of management being deside- 

 rata with New England teamsters, early and judicious training 

 becomes a pecuniary consideration. 



The sine qui non of successful ox-training involves the follow- 

 ing conditions : 1st, likeness of temperament and dispositioi^; 

 and 2d, equality of size, strength, and age. These conditions 

 are placed in the order of their importance. Many a poor beast 

 is made to suffer a kind of martyrdom from being " unequally 

 yoked " by his ignorant master. And, as a teamster of some 

 experience, I feel warranted in affirming my belief that no 

 small number of our class become martyrs to the ignorance 

 above mentioned. 



The hired teamster being required to perform a certain 

 amount of work, he is not at liberty to correct any vices or 

 defects in the team given him, but must worry through his 

 time, often under the most trying circumstances. " It is hard 

 learning old dogs new tricks," and none are more likely to 

 appreciate the significance of this proverb than teamsters placed 

 in situations where they have to deal with ill-bred, mis-matched, 

 and vicious animals. Where the standard of " education " is 

 unworthily low, people are wont to regard all reformatory 

 efforts as Utopian, and not likely to promote their interests in 

 any direction. 



But what are the facts ? Comparing trained with untrained 

 cattle, the former will command, in the general market, from 

 five to twenty-five dollars more per yoke than the latter. And 

 in localities where beauty and facility of management go at 

 their maximum price, the difference is greater. The common 

 remark with intelligent buyers is — " Money is no object — we 

 are willing to pay for cattle that are well matched, smart, and 

 handy." But there are minor advantages growing out of 

 judicious discipline which are not so readily apprehended, and 

 which are not so easily made appreciable. I will notice a few 

 of the most prominent. One fair resultant — and which will be 

 readily granted — is the facility of movement acquired in the 

 process of training. 



One of the most common wheel conveyances in use upon the 

 farm is the ox-cart ; and it is no inconsiderable point of ecou- 



,"!f 



