Consumption of Com in Great Britain, &c. 303 



Oxen instead of Horses. — Much has been said upon the national advantages to be 

 derived from a change of this nature; but it has been sliewn before in llie chapter 

 on horses, that as those used in agriculture are in a great measure a nursery for 

 those wanted for other purposes ; the extent of such change can take place no far^ 

 ther than about the work of 100,000 horses. 



To ascertain what general effect such a change might produce in increasing food 

 for mankind, as what I call the higher kept farm horses are generally, or at least a 

 part of ihcm, in preparation for sale, for the road or harness; I must suppose the 

 deduction made, from what I have called moderntely kept farm horses, nOw sup- 

 ported at ^~ acres per head ; then the deduction of 100,000 of those would save 

 the landed produce of - - - - 450,000 acres. 



And the reduction of young stock, in the same proportion, one- 

 ninth of the whole, would save one-ninth of 250,000 acres, to 

 preserve even numbers, suppose _ _ _ 30,000 



In all saved - 480,000 acres. 



The idea in all the midland counties is, that two oxen will be required to do the 

 work of each horse; 200,000 working oxen will therefore be wanted instead of the 

 horses thus deducted. To give the oxen a fair chance in this calculation, I will sup- 

 pose them fit to work at three years old, and the workers to be of the ages of three, 

 four, five, and six, respectively, 50,000 each; the same number coming one, two, 

 and three years old, will be wanted for succession stock, and 50,000 annually fatted 

 bff; the land necessary for their support may be nearly as follows : 

 Keep of 50,000 steers, oFtiie ages of coming one, two, and three years Acres. 



old respectively, 1 50,000 in all, at one acre each per head per annum 1 50,000 

 200,000 working oxen, of full three, four, five, and six years old, 50,000 



of each, at 2^ acres per head per annum _ _ _ 500,000 



Les.- land cannot, I believe, be possibly allowed to keep them in working 



condition ; they must have hay and sometimes corn when closely worked. 

 50,000 fatting, at 3 acres per head - - - - 150,000 



Land for the oxen necessary, acres _ _ _ - 800,000 



Deduct for the horses _ - _ _ _ 480,000 



Difference ______ 320,000 



