PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 381 



tempted to pass, that many of tlie trees are mutilated beyond recovery. 

 If farming is ever brought to a profitable consistency in this vicinity, oxen 

 will act a prominent part. The annual products of our fresh meadows are 

 used mainly for bedding where only horses are used, but oxen can be kept 

 in good heart, if fed with meadow hay, cut and mixed with meal. This 

 would be a saving of from fifty to a hundred dollars annually on a moder- 

 ate-sized farm — quite an item. 



" This I write, supposing our land to be all rid of stones and other ob- 

 structions, such as stumps, miry portions, etc. But when we come to land 

 full of obstructions, the superiority of oxen over horses is too apparent to 

 be overlooked. These hints are from actual experience gathered in the 

 field, and if they serve the purpose of drawing out some of the noted far- 

 mers on the comparative merits of the horse and the ox, for farm purposes, 

 the end will be accomplished." 



The editor in his remarks says that "his correspondent's hint in regard 

 to the training of oxen to work singly, as in furrowing, deserves the at- 

 tention of our farmers. There is no reason why an ox may not be handy 

 to work alone in a cart or wagon, or at the plow, harrow, cultivator, etC' 

 We have seen them so working, and if they are trained to step lively, 

 horses would find it difficult to prove more rapid workers, to say nothing 

 of economy in keeping, harnesses, and original cost and final disposal. 



" At one of the lake ports a few years ago, upon the arrival of every 

 steamer, a boy might have been seen with a small steer harnessed in a cart, 

 successfully competing with others for the privilege of carrying baggage, 

 freight, &c. Some kind friend had presented him with a calf, which the 

 boy had trained himself, and for several years the labor of the boy and his 

 steer were the full support of a whole family." 



In regard to training oxen to a quick gait, the Chairman said it was na- 

 tural for some cattle to travel as fast as horses. A neighbor of his at Nor- 

 walk. Conn., received a present of four head, said to be of the African breed, 

 which were sent to him from Ponce, Porto Rico, where they are used ex- 

 tensively, and travel in a brisk trot, as fast as the ordinary gait of a horse, 

 and faster than the ordinary gait of mules. This breed is very different in 

 appearance from the horned stock which we use. In Connecticut, farmers 

 did not like them, because they looked so odd. Yet I have no doubt they 

 would make valuable workers, being much more quick in their movements 

 than our cattle, and equally docile. The bull was unfortunately killed by 

 two vicious horned animals, so that the breed was not propagated. I be- 

 lieve there is no more difficulty in training oxen to work singly than there 

 is in training horses. I remember an old German doctor, who used to live 

 at Harlem twenty-five years ago, who rode all about the city in a cart to 

 which a bull was harnessed. Sometimes he took his wife and children to 

 meeting in the same vehicle. 



Opium Poppy Seed. 



Several correspondents are writing to the Club for opium poppy seed, 

 which was promised last year by a Mr. Stark, of Coventryville. If he or 

 any other will forward some to the Secretary for distribution, we suppose 

 several persons will be able to go into the cultivation of this drug. 



