90 



ESSAY. * 9 



may be a few inches over three feet — the lash about six 

 inches shorter. Such a whip can be easily flourished, 

 and will inflict greater punishment when required, than 

 one much 'larger. In the matter of castigation as a 

 means of breaking and governing refractory animals, 

 it is not easy to draw the line between " a necessary 

 act," which Cowper says " incurs no blame," and severi- 

 ty which would be obnoxious to the charge of cruelty- 

 As I cannot dwell at length upon this most vital ques- 

 tion, I must content myself with stating and briefly 

 illustrating the great governing principle, which is — 

 recognition of the intelligence, apprehensiveness, docil- 

 ity, and dignity of the animal. Farmers ! let never a 

 wanton or wicked blow be struck, nor a harsh, unmean- 

 ing sound be made ; let nothing be clone at the instance 

 of mere caprice, or passion ; cause all persons in any 

 way employed with your teams to recognize and regard 

 this principle. If, after sufficient trial, an animal proves 

 incorrigible, by every principle of morality, by every 

 consideration of wisdom and economy, release him from 

 the yoke forever. It often happens that a man pos - 

 sessses an odd steer which he thinks too handsome to kill, 

 and so sets himself to find a " mate." If such a steer 

 at the age of three years old proves, on trial, turbulent 

 and ugly-natured, it will be nearly an impossibility to 

 break him into sobriety and usefulness. There is so 

 much wildness, will and muscle about steers that have 

 run till three years old, that the task of breaking them 

 is a formidable one, and not general]" advisable. 



After cattle have been taught to " lay up" close to the 

 spear when backing, they should, constantly be required 

 to place themselves right, before attempting the exercise, 

 and should be looked after while performing. In this 



