494 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



The Connecticut red oxen are particularly valued for the pur- 

 poses of labor, being but little inferior to horses in speed before 

 the plow, and are eminently superior to all other cattle fu* the 

 purposes of the farm. On a clay soil they will be found particu- 

 larly valuable, on account of their good temper, strength, docility 

 and honesty. Four Devon cattle are fully equal to three horses. 



They may be broken into work earlier than any other cattle, 

 say from two years upwards, and will be serviceable until twelve 

 years old, and may then be made fit for the butcher, on hay and 

 turnips in ten months. They fatten faster and with less food, 

 than any other breed known to me, I have used these oxen in 

 preference to all others, for the last twelve years, and turn them 

 off to the butcher when eight years old, weighing dressed about 

 twelve hundred pounds. The last pair I purchased in Connecti- 

 cut, had horns well placed on the head, and measured from tip 

 to tip four feet eight inches; they were broken to drive singly, 

 plow corn, &c., or to be driven on either side, and would permit 

 their driver to ride from the field on their backs. The eyes of 

 this pair of oxen had a calm complacent expression, which indi- 

 cated their patient and kind disposition. Their touch was per- 

 fect, having a loose skin, apparently floating on a layer of fat, 

 which when pressed yielded at once and sprang back like a piece 

 of soft thick buckskin, and would have been styled in England 

 mossy. When you find the touch as described, it indicates sym- 

 metrical form, pure blood, good disposition and fine bone. A 

 thick firm hide, covered with short hair, shows an indifferent 

 feeder. The heads of the oxen in question, were beautifully set 

 on their necks, and appeared as if the animals had no difficulty 

 in carrying them. Their faces were exceedingly long from the 

 eyes to the extreme point of their noses, and very broad across 

 the eyes; their muzzles were small, and nostrils large, ears trans- 

 parent and large, necks light and short. 



The Connecticut red cattle are the offspring of a small bull, and 

 much smaller cow. As milkers they rank low, as far as quantity 

 is concerned, but 'the quality is superior, so much so, that the 

 Connecticut farmers and stock breeders regard this property as 

 fully compensating for the deficiency otherwise. 



