WORKING OXEN. 31 



which was felt and expressed in regard to the ground on which com- 

 petitors were called to exhibit their teams this year ; and also to rec- 

 ommend a new and more suitable theatre for future exhibitions. Bat 

 the Committee are reminded that further criticism would be su])ereroga- 

 torj ; believing, as they do, that the executive officers, and all who 

 may be responsible in the premises, will readily anticipate what mio-ht 

 otherwise with propriety be said. 



Called to dictate " rewards of merit " in one of the most important 

 departments of our annual exhibitions, your Committee feel that they 

 owe it to the Society to invite attention to the ends sought to be reached 

 by the system of premiums, and to enlarge somewhat upon the value of 

 those ends, and the advantages appertaining thereunto. Men have 

 recognized the truth of the saying that merit, sooner or later, finds 

 recognition and reward. We are inclined to indorse this in refutation 

 of stateujcnts which wc sometimes hear, (or overhear,) to wit: That 

 certain men, with certain pet and premium animals, ivill prejudice the 

 merit of other stock in the same class. Now it is possible that the real 

 feeling which sometimes underlies the foregoing complaint, may be the 

 cause of failure ; but from what we have observed, we are led to believe 

 that the greater number of those who fail to take the premiums for 

 trained cattle, do not clearly realize the true object of those premiums; 

 and, shall we say? — fail to comprehend the qualitications necessary to 

 compete with honor. If we rightly understand the Society's position, 

 it would raise the standard of usefulness — it would stimulate efforts to 

 render the ox more serviceable; to enhance his executive capacity, and 

 thereby his money value. There are those who regard the point of 

 efficiency which is reached through special training as one of fancy 

 rather than utility. But is it not true that all special physical culture 

 and development is available for cdl purposes for which muscle is requi- 

 site ? Are not the Ward brothers more efficient and profitable laborers, 

 other things being equal, for their special training as oarsmen ? Another 

 class of objectors admit the advantages of discipline, but are wont to 

 declare they cannot afford the time and attention required. In reply- 

 ing to this objection we call to mind a certain direction for acquiring a 

 polite demeanor, given in a manual of politeness. '* The young reader 

 may practice the politeness which will ndvance him in the most elegant 

 society, in every hut and workshop. He may show it every time he 

 speaks to any person, and test it in every act in which another is con- 

 cerned." So the farmer can give his team the training here recom- 

 mended while prosecuting his business, i-n all cases where ox labor can 

 be employed; and the good results will speedily appear in augmented 

 capacity to perform every task required. But to still another class we 

 desire to present a few considerations — a class who, unfortunately, pre- 

 sume to bring unworthy and untrained teams into competition, at our 

 exhibitions, with those who have received '' a finished education." Far 

 be it from us to dampen or depress, by word or otherwise, a laudable 



