STOCK AND IMPLEMENTS OE AGRICULTURE. 



55 



asks emphatically, among other blessings, " that our oxen 

 may be strong to labour, that there be no decay." 



Oxen are best adapted for ploughing stiff lands, keeping 

 a heavier and steadier strain than horses or mules, but the 

 latter answer better for weeding, carting, and all the 

 lighter work, as being more rapidly and easily managed, 

 and not trampling the cultivated ground so much. 



All carts and waggons should be of as light a construc- 

 tion as is consistent with strength ; and where they are 

 intended for carting substances over the finished prepara- 

 tions, the wheels should be made very broad and light, to 

 prevent them sinking into the land. Indeed, by a little 

 ingenuity in the construction of light carts, for carrying 

 manure or megass into the fields of young canes, most of 

 the manual labour can be saved, as the carts, if properly 

 constructed, can be driven through the young sprouts 

 without doing them any injury. Care should be taken that 

 all the harness is well fitted to each animal. The portions 

 which press forcibly on the body, as they often become 

 very hard with a little use, should always be carefully 

 stuffed and soft ; and the yokes and collars used for cattle 

 should be light and well padded. 



The various ploughs in use have each their admirers, and 

 their adaptation varies with soil and locality. Wilkie's has 

 been most used, but Ransomed and Jefferies^s are excellent, 

 and there are many light ploughs of American construction, 

 which, in light soils, do a great deal of work, being of very 

 easy draught. The hill-side plough, to which I formerly 



