126 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



quick ploughing. Horses will usually plough more in a given 

 time than oxen. Every wise and judicious farmer will study 

 the principles of economy, and profit in all the departments of 

 farming. Hence the question often arises, which is tlie most 

 profitable to perform farm work, oxen or horses ; or if both are 

 kept, how mariy of each ? This depends upon circumstances. 

 For ploughing and harrowing on easy land, horses will work to 

 good advantage. Also for teaming on the road, of which almost 

 every farmer has more or less to do, horses in most cases are 

 preferable to oxen, as they will travel quicker, and are better 

 able to bear the heat in warm weather. They are also better 

 for soiling; and as most of our pastures are poor, working ani- 

 mals for the most part must be kept on hay and grain during 

 the year. And further, as labor-saving machinery increases, 

 horse labor also increases, as most of it is operated by horses, 

 such as mowing, reaping and raking; also various kinds of 

 implements that are used on cultivated land to save the use of 

 the hoe. They are also used more than formerly for almost all 

 kinds of farm culture, especially getting in hay, as they will 

 travel much quicker, especially when returning from the barn 

 to the field. There are various other kinds of business which 

 are to be performed exclusively with horses. 



There are also important considerations in favor of oxen. 

 Their cost is much less than horses : the cost of liarness in 

 which to work them is also less. They are better adapted to 

 some kinds of work, such as removing heavy stones, ploughing 

 rough land, and performing various other kinds of heavy work ; 

 and when past labor in consequence of old age or misfortune, 

 they are fattened and turned to the butcher, while the horse is 

 worthless. 



As it has been before said, every farmer should be governed 

 by the circumstances in which he is placed, and not depend too 

 much upon the example or advice of his neighbors. He should 

 consider the labor to be performed, the means of keeping, and 

 all the other circumstances ; and then pursue such a course as 

 wisdom directs. 



Joseph Howe, Chairman. 



