220 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST, 
[June, 
[COP'S: RIGHT SECURED.] 
ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE METHODS OF TRAINING STEERS. —Drawn by E. Forbes for the American Agriculturist. 
and the bow and bow-pin taken in the right 
hand. The steer, having been previously driven 
up to his mate, is then made to step up under the 
yoke, the words “ Come under ! ” being spoken 
at the same moment that lie is touched on the 
flank with a light switch or whip held in the hand 
along with the bow. When he is in place, the 
bow is put into the yoke, and held up with the 
left knee while it is secured with the bow-pin. 
The off steer is then untied, and the pair are 
left to stand in the yoke and move about for an 
hour or two, or while they are fed, after which 
they may be unyoked. They should never be 
left alone in the yoke until well used to it, lest 
they may get frightened, or learn to turn the 
yoke, a trick once learned they never forget or 
neglect to play when they can. After one or 
two yokings, they should be driven around the 
yard, and then, a short rope having been tied 
to the nigh steer’s horns, they may be taken out 
to a field or on to the road, but for a very short 
distance at first. They should never be allowed 
to run away; if they do it once, they should be 
driven back to the place from whence they 
started, and be made to stay there a short time, 
and then be driven slowly home. This should 
be done without fail, whether it be noon or 
night, or they will learn to start off home when 
unhitched and when they are not wanted to, at 
whatever work they may be, or if they are at 
work a long distance from home; and much 
time be lost in consequence. They must be 
taught not to do anything until told to do it, 
and to do what they are told promptly. When 
they are perfect, they may be hitched on to a 
light ox-cart, or the front wheels of a wagon, 
the off ox being taught to step over the tongue, 
the words “ Step over! ” being spoken as he 
comes up to it, so that he may learn to step 
over anything else as may be needed at any 
time. The first few lessons with the cart or 
wagon should be long enough to tire the steers 
considerably, so that in coming home they will 
go steadily. In teaching them to back a wagon, 
tliey should be made to keep their heads up, 
and not allowed to hold them down, nor to 
stand out from the tongue. It is by being al¬ 
lowed to hold their heads down, and to stand 
out from the tongue in backing, that they learn 
to turn the yoke, which they will do when 
working with a chain, as in plowing or logging, 
and which when done not only makes it neces¬ 
sary to unyoke and reyoke them, but makes all 
concerned look and feel very ridiculous. The en¬ 
graving given above represents the chief points 
of these lessons in such a manner as to make 
the directions very plain and easy to follow. 
