THE EDUCATION OF THE OX. 43 



in all multiform exercises of ox-labor. The same rule reversed 

 will apply when approaching the spear from the left hand. 



Perhaps in this place I should indicate my preference among 

 the ivhips known to teamsters. In some parts of Worcester 

 County drivers use a whip made of common shoemaker's thread, 

 by means of a very simple machine, which any farmer's boy 

 can construct. This cord, which is very hard and stiff, and of 

 uniform size, is looped on to the stock, and " let out " as it 

 wears up. For cheapness, durability, and efficiency, I know of 

 no whip to compare with it, and yet I hesitate to recommend its 

 general use, for the reason that it can be made too harmful. 

 It is an error to suppose that an ox-whip should be either large 

 or long : the stock may be a few inches over three feet — the 

 lash about six inches shorter. Such a whip can be easily flour- 

 ished, and will inflict greater punishment when required, than 

 one much larger. In the manner of castigation as. a means of 

 breaking and governing refractory animals, it is not easy to 

 draw the line between " a necessary act," which Cowper says 

 " incurs no blame," and severity which would be obnoxious to 

 the charge of cruelty. As I cannot dwell at length upon this 

 most vital question, I must content myself with stating, and 

 briefly illustrating, the great governing principle, which is — 

 recognition of the intelligence, apprehensiveness, docility, and 

 dignity of the animal. Farmers ! let never a wanton or wicked 

 blow be struck, nor a harsh, unmeaning sound be made ; let 

 nothing be done at the instance of mere caprice, or passion ; 

 cause all persons in any way employed with your teams to 

 recognize and regard this principle. 



If, after sufficient trial, an animal proves incorrigible, by 

 every principle of morality, by every consideration of wisdom 

 and economy, release him from the yoke forever. It often hap- 

 pens that a man possesses an odd steer which he thinks too 

 handsome to kill, and so sets himself to find a " mate." If such 

 a steer at the age of three years old proves, on trial, turbulent 

 and ugly-natured, it will be nearly an impossibility to break him 

 into sobriety and usefulness. There is so much wildness, will, 

 and muscle about steers that have run till three years old, that 

 the task of breaking them is a formidable one, and not generally 

 advisable. 



