ESSAY. "* 



I shall not discuss, not deeming it relevant to the sub- 

 ject of this essay ; if, however, they be well kept 

 their size and strength at three months will admit of 

 their being yoked and exercised in some of the more 

 simple movements — such as turning each way ; starting 

 and halting at command ; backing, and " holding up ;" 

 " standing out" and " standing up," separately, &c, &c. 

 In all these primary exercises the experienced teamster 

 sees the chief advantages of early training. At this 

 stage animals are supple and docile, and the whip almost 

 finds its " occupation gone " — at least there is no need 

 of severity. One of the most difficult branches of the 

 science may then be taught with assurance of complete 

 success. The art of backing, properly, is seldom taught, 

 and more seldom acquired. Regarding this subject of 

 " backing," I beg leave to submit a few illustrations. 

 An ill-founded notion seems to have possessed the 

 minds of not a few farmers and teamsters, touching the 

 ability of thd ox to force a load back by the horns. To 

 this prejudice I attribute the general failure of working 

 cattle in this particular. It is however an easily demon- 

 strated fact that Nature has lodged more strength in the 

 neck and head of the ox, than in his breast and shoulders. 

 This is patent to the most casual observation of bulls 

 and oxen when fighting. The size and strength of the 

 horns of the ox also favor this view. In some parts of 

 Europe this principle seems to be better understood : 

 hence we find the ox and the cow appropriately har- 

 nessed for draft by the horns, and executing their tasks 

 with apparent ease. Having exercised sufficiently 

 without draft, let the calves then be hitched to a mini- 

 ature cart or wagon and be instructed in all the ma- 

 neuvers required of oxen. At first the load should be 



