The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1856-03-12
COMPARATIVE VALUE OF OK AND HoRsl
LABOR


The question of the comparative value. of
ox-labor. and horse labor, however, is very
complicated aud difficult one; and has been
keenly discussed by some Of the ablest con-
tnental writer's on rural economy; and, even
when thoroughly and perspicuously invested,
must be vnrieusly determined according 10
circumstances. Burgar says, We must
take into consideration the amount Of labor
whlchhorses and oxen can perform, in given
period. IL we would decide respecting the
|uue or the other. Because horses perform
more IN the same time than oxen. aud are bet
rsS.- -s,-Pss-s -. -..---.., .-s---.--c
rarely happens that labor is carried on cheap
sr with horses; a person gains more in the
less number nt the horse teams and the men
required for them. compared with the greater
number OF the ux teams. than the cost Of their
keeping, and the interest Of the outlayiDg
rapi,sl u the ox-ieam. IN given time, per-
formed a. much work as the horse-tean, il
wold unquestioHlbly be cheapest to use
them for al the work of the farm, and quit
the nse of horss wholly; but because oxen
are much slower in drawing. aud il they are
strong aud well trained. will accomplish III
favorable circumstances only 5 4 or l-2 oil
what gopd span ni farm nurses will; there
fore irtne keeping Of oxen is unusually cheap
on account nf tie increased number 0i teams
aud Of men required 10 take care Of them,
there will be greater expense with oxen
than with horses ThAer saws. /" horses
have an undrniable preference in the fol.
lowing pzrticulars:-i. They are suitable for
all aud every kind Of work u land.hushaad
~, in all aays aud in all weathers. Oae.
therefore, when he keeps only horses, is not
obliged 10 choose out work for them, but can
use his whole team for any bssincss that oc.
ours. and leave no part of il 10 stand still.
They accomplish every kind OF work more
rapidly, and are more constant. Oae can.
therefore, not only complete the work ~ the
same time more promptly, bur also require .
longer day's work Of them. Thus the wagon
~ill accomplish morc with an equal number
Of nurses than with oxen; although with the
ussal ,llaught Of lnad they exert not mure
pawpr than oxen, they overcome by their "a.
pidity Of moiinn and energy, many short
resistance belUre which oxen stand still. In
la,pr Of oxen are the following I'll. They
pcriafm the greater part Of the works on !
iarm, ~ pluughing. and the near carrying ii
loads, ~ we'll as horses do; and one can 10 !
usual DAYS work, il they are we'll FED, exprsl
nearly as much lram them. They perform
the work uf ploughing in a certain degrc,
better Than horses. 2. The cost Of them il
considerably less. Their purchase, on ~
average, is not near 50 high; their harness II
much cheaper; their load costs much less
aud consists 10 snch things a., on aecouat o
is transportation. are not 80 marketable d
the grain IN which horses are kept. 8. VIVA
Is an iaipartant particular is, that, ifthey ar,
well takrn care Of. aud not too long kept Q
work. they lessen not as ISbh in value. bu
improve i0r the mnst part; 80 that they ofiel
sell Inr mur than they aI iirst Gust. sud there
by Soon psy tie interest On the standing cspi
Cal; whereas, on the other hand. the value q
the horr SOM sinks 20 nothing, aud the ca
. plal wholly exhausted. They are also suijcc
10 fewer hazards and casualties. 4. The,
demand less attention. a. one or-heri cal
take care of thirty oxen, IL others sork vii,
them By Chinge. Finally, they give create
quantity of excrement, which 10 general al
lofds more productive manure t,sn that /
horses. such horses and oxen m1stbr com
pared. the relation Of which in respect {
II their condition aud care. are not unlike. &s
4 There can. therefore, be no doubt, that thus
. labors which can be pruportiUnslly well pei
!. turned by oxen, will be dUne cheaper vii
" oxen than vith horses. II farm had cal