152 JZAU8TRATF.D STOCK DOCTCB. 
Train Stock Young. 
Let the steer, which should not exceed one year old — eight months is 
better be taught one lesson at a time, and that thoroughly. It will ren- 
der the next lesson easier. When they are quiet and will do your bidding 
j the yoke without halter or strap, they may be left until three years 
old before being worked, though it is better to begin at two years of age, 
especially if thoy are to be used on the wagon. They will not pull much, 
out they may thus be taught to walk fast, to do their share of the work, 
and to become thoroughly “ way wise.” 
The greatest difficulty in training oxen, as a singlo yoke, is teaching 
iiem to back promptly and well. To do this requires patience. Never 
overload them. Make them back promptly twelve to fifteen feet at a 
•dme, and then come forward, stopping instantly at the word, with heads 
up ready to back again. In traveling along the road nover allow them 
jo flag, nor exert them so long at any one time as to seriously w$ary 
ahem. Patience alone will secure the end sought. When you have occa- 
sion to speak sharply to them, do not let it bo in a very loud voice, but 
•8t it be accompanied by a touch of the goad or a blow of the whip suf- 
ficiently sharp so the animals feel it. To touch both animals so near 
together that it seems almost simultaneous, is a fine art. It is acquired 
j>y always touching the slow ox first, for scarcely ever will two animals 
be found so evenly matched as to be exactly alike. When you find them 
you have a prize. When not so, we have always found it best to have 
the slower ox on the near side. 
Summing Up. 
In summing up the whole matter of training, the individual must keep 
the points aimed at steadily in view. First, the animal must bo rendered 
entirely subservient to man, and this by showing it that -man is its friend ; 
that under no circumstances is it to be injured. A well trained yoke or 
a team of exon will command a fancy price a”* easily as a well trained 
span of horses. There will be, for many years to come, uses to which 
ce • her horses nor mules are so well adapted as are oxen. In lumbering, 
especially in breaking prairies, in much of the work of the farm, and for 
teaming in wild regions generally, where there is nothing but rank, wild 
giaesy feed, they will be indispensable. In these cases the trained team 
will do one-third more work than the untrained team, and do it easier for 
themselves, and much more satisfactory to the driver. Hero again the 
driver should be himself trained. A brutal driver will soon rum a good 
ftcam, yet cauuot entirely destroy their value. 
