Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-02-12
Agricultural.
Short Horn Oxen for Labor.

Samuel W. Bartlett of East Windsor,
Conn, gives the following in the New York
Farmer, as his views and experience ON the
subject Of short horn oxen for labor.
1t has been prevalent idea among many
farmers throughout the country, that Short
Horn Oxen, were, in their natures unfit for
labor Now, slrs it is not the object of this
communication To depreciae other breeds
each have their peculiar merits. In this
region of country, oxen are used almost
wholly for farm labor, and it is one great
ohect for the farmer To have his e,m turn
10 good account at last. The valley of
Connecticut River, is well calculated to
produce large, thrifty animals, with strong
constitutions aud the demand for large,
well matched, wei! trained, oxen, has ln-
duced many farmers to turn their attention
in that direction. 1t is now about twenty.
five years since Short Horn Bulls we're in
lroduced into Elst Windsor there were
strong preIldices to be overcome, but the
Short lluIns have been gradually gaining
ground, aud it is now admitted, by all who
have given them an impartial trial at labor
that they are not easily excelled in the yoke.
speak Of grade animals, as but few pure
boudS are brought to the yoke Short
Horn Steers should be br ught into the
team while young, and they should not be
allowed To get too tleshy, as this will impede
their travelling. 1t is principle of vital
Importance IN heavy draughl, aud in over
coniug large obstacles that weight must be
opposed TO weight Our surplus oxen are
much soughr for, and many of them pur-
chased by the amateur feeders of Wesl6cld
Mass, who prepare them for particular
customers in Brighton market. After
being worked until from five to seven Years
old, six months feeding will make them
weigh from 1870 To 2000 his, many of them
are also purchased, and driven, to be EN-
ployed in drawing stone out Of the large
: QnarrieS at Portland, Ct, opposite the city
! oi MlddIetown on the bank of the Con-
nectIcut River, fifteen miles below Hartford
where they employ nearly une hundred and
} fifty pairs of oxen of The first quality. pay
ing from Sl25 To $500 per pair, at SIX and
seven years old aud the superintendent of
: the teams informs US that they can find
, nothing besides that will compare with the
, high blood Durhams The reason ASSIGN.
ed for their remarkably good qualities for
labor, are their great strength, united with
: strong constitution, the long stride in
l travelling, great resolution, good appetite,
and the great weight they are able to throw
into the yoke, and a more kind and obedi-
ent disposition animal does not exist, than
I IA majority Of them. 1t would be hard to
: find more pelcct animal in the yoke, for
any and all kinds Of labor, for long or
short distances, than the Short Horned Bull
! Fablus, No 90, in the American Herd Book
: formerly owned by Mr.. John BsseI Of this
town and among the stock he left, the
r steers aud young oxen cannot be excelIed
in the yoke. Barely his inferior, was Logan
: No. 95, in the American Herd book, own
ed also by Mr.. Bis ell and is now at labor
: at seven years old, aud a more docile OK
cannot be found. | know shall tread on
the toes Of certain North Devon breeders
| who honestly imagine nothing but Devons
r can work, but gentlemen, | would say 20
you, witness the performance OF the Short
} Horns in the yoke, Tor twenty years, as
have and we shall be glad to hear from you.
Mr.. Editor, nethinks hear some Of your
readers sneering at this, and saying it is
f all the Imagination Of some book farmer,
, who never druve an OK team in his life, but
| Mr.. Editor, will go ten miles out of my
direct way any lime, TO see man, who