Old Premiums, xxxiii- 



IX. The society believing that very important advantages 

 would be derived iVom the general use of oxen, instead of 

 horses, in husbandry and other services ; and being desirous 

 of facilitating their introduction into all these states ; per- 

 suaded also, that the comparative value of oxen and cows 

 must very much depend on the qualities oi their sires and 

 dams ; and that by a careful attention to the subject, an im« 

 proved breed may be obtained ; they propose a gold medal 

 for the best essay, the result of experience, on the breeding, 

 feedmg, and management of cattle, for the purpose of ren- 

 dering them most profitable for the dairy, and for beef, and 

 most docile and useful for the draught -, and for the next 

 best — a silver medal. 



N. B. Among other things the essay should notice the dif- 

 ferent breeds of cattle, and their comparative qualities ; as 

 their sizes, strength, facility in fattening, quantity of milk, &c. 



X. It is a generally received opinion, that horses in at 

 team travel much faster than oxen ; yet some European 

 writers on husbandry mention many instances, in which it 

 appeared, not only that oxen would plough as much ground 

 as an equal number of horses, but also travel as fast with a 

 loaded carriage : particularly when, instead of yokes and 

 bows, they were geared in horse-harness, with such varia- 

 tions as were necessary to adapt it to their different shape. 

 To ascertain the powers of oxen in these particulars, and the 

 expence of maintaining them, the society deem matters of 

 very great moment ; and are therefore induced to offer a 

 gold medal for the best set of experiments, undertaken with 

 that view ; and for the next best, a silver medal. In relating 

 these experiments, it will be proper to describe the age and 

 size of the oxen, their plight, the kinds and quantities of 

 their food, the occasions, manner, and expence or shoeing 

 them ; in travelling, the kinds of carriages used, and weight 

 of their loads, and seasons o\ the year, and the length and 

 quality of the roads : and, in ploughing, the size and lash- 



e 



