16 



PLOWING-DOTJBLE TEAMS. 



no small amount of practical experience and tact, to "be- 

 come a good plowman, hence the art, is worthy of the 

 ambition and persevering effort of every tiller of the 



soil. 



A few things may be specified as necessary to con- 

 stitute a good plowman. The first requisite is a good 

 and properly constructed plow. If the land be smooth 

 and level, probably there is no plow that performs bet- 

 ter service than the Michigan Sub-soil. If, however 

 the surface is uneven, a well constructed side-hill plow^ 

 is undoubtedly preferable to any other. The farmer 

 should have, if able, plows of different kinds, so that 

 he may adapt the implement, to the condition of the 

 land that he proposes to cultivate. 



Next in importance is a stout, and thoroughly trained 

 team. Many farmers pay but little attention to the 

 securing and preserving of a suitable team for the 

 general purposes of agriculture. Doubtless, throughout 

 most of New England, oxen are preferable for most of 

 the purposes of farming to horses or mules. Especially 

 is this true in reference to plowing, their gait is less 

 rapid, and the plow is drawn with more evenness and 

 force, and hence the furrow may be turned with greater 

 ease and uniformity. It is highly important that the 

 cattle should be well matched in size, weight, motion^ 

 and temperament; wdth these requisites, and proper 

 training, united with kind treatment, your cattle may 

 be educated to perform their tasks with ease, skill, and 

 profit. It is also necessary, that the driver should con- 

 trol himself if he would succeed in controlling his oxen. 

 I have always noticed that all well-bred oxen show a 

 proper resentment to the use of loud, boistrous and 



