j.^ ANIMAl^S AKD THEIR PRODUCTS. 



feed, and at the same time increase in value. But as 

 a general rule, if the farmer is to be paid the worth 

 of the haj and grain they consume, he must take it 

 out in work ; and hence, with the exception of those 

 who make it a business to prepare these animals for 

 the market, and of some others, who can afford to 

 keep fine horses for the pleasure of driving them, it is 

 unquestionably a good rule, to keep no more of these 

 than can be pretty constantly employed. 



185. Working oxen belong to the second class The 

 return they make the farmer is labor and growth. 

 Like the horse, they can be made profitable, as work- 

 ers ; and unlike, the horse, they may be profitable, as 

 idlers. Perhaps few animals pay better for their keep- 

 ing, than oxen, worked reasonably till August, and 

 then turned into a good pasture to be prepared for 

 the stall. They should seldom be put to the utmost 

 of their strength. If worked with judgment, and 

 kindly cared for, they will do more for their owner in 

 the long run, and will be steadily increasing in value, 

 till 7 or 8 years of age, when they should be prepared 

 for the market, and their place supplied by those that 

 are younger. 



186. To the third class belong cows, young stock, 

 sheep, and swine. The return expected from these is 

 the body of the animal, when grown and fattened, or 

 some product of the animal ; as butter, cheese and wool. 

 Every farmer knows that some animals will eat much 

 and grow little, while others will consume less and 

 grow more ; he knows that there are some cows, which 



