WOHKlNii »>.\KX. 27 



the favii], is the worst economy, even only so far as bis own require- 

 ments for ox-labor are concL'rnee] ; ami when he comes to tlio market 

 demands, every principle of true economy is 'against it. 13ut It is mat- 

 ter for serious wonder why the majority of men acquainted with farm 

 ing pursuits, fail to recognize, practically, the fact that the standards in 

 this department of their calling are greatly elevated, and that to com- 

 pete with those who are up to the times, and make the raising and sulo 

 of cattle remunerative, tbey must abandon tlieir old notions, and regu- 

 late their conditions to meet the facts of the new. In our view, the 

 growing disuse of oxlabor, in favor of horse labor, on farms, is ai> 

 error ; but if we were to employ the most cfTective means of convert- 

 ing all to this view, it would be ox training carried to the highest pitch 

 of perfection. Many of the arguments brought against the use of ordi- 

 nary oxen on the farm, have no force against the trained ox. The farn) 

 is the appropriate sphere of labor for the ox, and in his training this fac^ 

 should be kept constantly in mind. In our Essays we have never 

 failed to set forth that it is the lighter uses for which our oxen should 

 receive training. We regret that those who compete for premiums are 

 not more familiar with this view, for, although we honestly think that 

 the conditions required to constitute oxen eligible to premiums by no 

 means cover all that is desirable, or all that oxen are capable of doing, 

 yet the most progressive interpretation of tlie terms cover more tha» 

 competitors are wont to apprehend. In the matter of hacJdng, for 

 example, drivers show a too general ignorance as to what is desirable 

 It is not enough that a pair of oxen are capable of forcing a load back 

 a certain distance — they must be able to do it within certain limits of 

 space, and time. To test cattle on these point^, the weight of the load 

 should be even more nicely adapted to the weight and strength of the 

 cattle, than if the trial were for draught. We cannot escape the 

 impression that the rule of one-third more than the weight of the team, 

 is too high, unless the team is trained up to a high point of efSciency. 

 "And this brings us again to say that far too large a majority of the 

 oxen whose exploits on the cart it is supposed to be your committee'^ 

 business to " sit in iudgment" upon, are unworthy to compete, for the 

 above reasons. It is quite evident that this class of teams have had no 

 training, ivith a sinrfle vieiv to the trial for premium. This is not ay 

 it should be. We do not plead guilty to a desire to exclude any team, 

 and yet it would not seem consistent with the Society's intent that your 

 committee should fail to suggest " a better way." 



But the prime barrier in the way of all betterment in this matter, 

 is, that trainers are incompetent. We wish it were possible to set fcrtli 

 with force and clearness sufficient to instruct the more obtuse, th& 

 actual demand our present standard makes for efficient teamsters. This 

 demand cannot be met by the class of self-elected teamsters, (in whose 

 minds no standard exists,) who continually thrust upon the attention of 

 judges achievements that are not creditable, even in the eyes of the 

 ignorant crowd. But despite the difficulties which hedge this whole 

 Kubject of teamstership and training of oxen, it is slowly, but surely, 

 developing itself :ts a distinct, wolldcfined. and most noble scienco 



