1858.] SENATE— No. 4. 71 



working cattle, and consequently had every opportunity to 

 observe tliem with particular care. In point of form, symmetry 

 and development, many of them would compare favorably with 

 the best cattle in this State, but in point of intelligence and 

 training I did not see a yoke that would not have been ruled off 

 the ground at a New England cattle show. The drivers, in nearly 

 every case, used a line or rope attached to the horn of the near 

 ox, one end of which he held in his hand, and could not drive 

 without. The idea of ploughing with a yoke of oxen without a 

 driver was a thing which seemed never to have been heard of. 

 It is well known that no cattle among us would be considered 

 " broken " or trained, which, after the age of four or five years, 

 would not plough without a driver equally well, or even better, 

 than with one. 



But in one respect our working oxen would be improved by 

 a cross of our native cows and a pure bred Hereford or Devon 

 bull, and that is, the greater easo with which they would be 

 matched. Half-bloods of either of these races make very beau- 

 tiful and valuable cattle, improved in shape and fineness of 

 bone and uniformity of appearance. Such cattle arc often to 

 be met with, and always excite the admiration of the beholder. 

 They are quick, good workers, and w'hen no longer wanted for 

 the yoke, feed well and make beef of an excellent quality, well 

 laid on the most valuable parts. We want cattle that possess 

 such qualities, good workers and good feeders when the time 

 comes to prepare them for the butcher. 



The premiums offered for working oxen, at the State Fair, 

 were as follows : — 



Four years old and upwards — 1st premium, $50 ; 2d, ^10 ; 3d, $30 ; ith, 

 $20 ; 5th, SJIO. 



Two years old and under four— 1st premium, $30 ; 2nd, $20 ; 3d, $15 ; 4th, 

 $10 ; 5th, $5. 



The list of entries in this division was as follows : — 



No. 1. — Steers, grade, G months old, owned by George Babcock, Brookline. 

 2. — Oxen, 6 years old, owned by Wm. Thompson, North Bridgewater. 

 3. — Oxen, 4 years old, owned by Nathan Brooks, Acton. 

 4. — Oxen, 5 years old, weight, 3,270 lbs., owned by Nathan Brooks, 



Acton. 

 5. — Oxen, native, 7 years old, owned by Leonard Hoar, Liacolu. 



