44 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



After cattle have been taught to " lay up " close to the spear 

 when backing, they should constantly be required to place 

 themselves right, before attempting the exercise, and should be 

 looked after while performing. In this place, I would caution 

 drivers against a common error — the practice of going before 

 cattle to back them. Oxen thus treated never perform the 

 operation handsomely. 



While backing, the driver should keep a little back rather 

 than forward of the ox's middle, as there is a tendency to "wing 

 out " when handling a heavy load. When using a cart or 

 wagon upon the farm, and especially around barns, or in the 

 door yards, the teamster should never ride, er allow any one 

 else thus employed to do so. This common practice is fatal to 

 the discipline of trained cattle. The driver should walk steadily 

 by their side, not often using the whip, nor speaking in any but 

 a firm, distinct manner, and manifesting- chiefly by motion, his 

 will. In the matter of ox-yokes my experience has not failed 

 to impress me with the need of a revolution — most of those in 

 common use being too heavy, " bungling," and every way 

 inconvenient. These remarks specially apply to those made by 

 Nourse, Mason & Co. Indeed, I have met with but very few of 

 unexceptionable pattern, and those were manufactured in a 

 part of Worcester County where ox-training is carried to a 

 point much nearer perfection than in any other locality of which 

 I have knowledge. 



