Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-02-03
Che tormcr.
Horses versus Oxen.

Which is the most profitable team for the
farmer, horses or oxen? The question has
been variously debated, but we have seen no
better statement Of both sides of the case
than that given by Thayer, in his Principles
Of Agriculture. He lin substance) says
Horses are capable of all kinds of farm
labor; they adapt themselves to every road
and every degree of temperature When
horses are kept, there is no occasion to select
their particular kind of labor; they may be
employed in any work, aud be attached to
any vehicle or implement OF the farm.
Herses perform all kinds of work cxpedi-
tious " as well as continuously, thus keeping
those who labor with them more fully en-
ployed than is the case in working with
oxen.
Horses, though less steady with heavy
draught than oxen, have the advantage of
spirited, rapid motion, enabling them to over
come all obstacles of short duration, aud
such as would frequently stop oxen.
Oxen. on the contrary, can perform many
kinds of farm labor equally as well as the
horse, and when we'll fed are capable of Gu
during nearly as much fatigue. Many per-
sons consider them better than horses for
blowing.
Oxen are kept much less expensively-
their FIRST cost is far below that of horse
their harness is also much less cos ly, and
their food of q cheaper character.
Oxen, when we'll led and not ovcr-worked,
frequently increase in value, thus almost pay
ing the interest on their original cost horses,
on the contrary, decrease in value with age, and
finally become "a dead loss to the owners.
Oxen are less liable to accidents and dis
ease, and produce greater amount of valua-
bic manure than horses.
Another writer goes into heightened COIN
;parison Of the cost of the same work when
executed by oxen or horses and states the
ratio of the first to the last named as 32-
100 to 3 l-l0-giving almost one fourth add
vantage in the use OF horses. This We think
altogether too arge-and that the economy
in either case depends upon the work to be
done and the plentifulness or scarcity of APP
propriate food and work on the farm.-Coun.
try Gentleman, Nou. IL.
WASHINGTON County AGRICULTURAL Soc1-
ErY.-At meeting of the Members Of the
Washington County Agricultural Society,
held in Montpelier, on the % | day of Jan.
the following off ers WIRE elected:
AMBROSE BRADFORD, Barre, PEST.
O. f. LEWIS, Il. Mont .,eicr, " D.,
LEANDE WARREN, Mid lies X, '0' ''
PIP. PITKIN, L. Montpelier. Sec'y.
T. R. MERRILL, Montpelier, Treasurer.
Board of Managers Tor 1859.
Stiman Wood, Barre; John H. Kimball,
Berlin; Eon Robinson, Calais; joseph Luce,
Cabot; Il. W. Corse, Duxbury; Eihanan
W. Ormsbee, E. Montpelier; E. W. Bruce,
Fayston; Horace Hollster, Marshfeld; G.
W. Bailey, MiddIesex; VIM G. Lewis,
Montpelier; Oscar Wlnship, Moretwon; HI
ram Jones, Mortified; John MelIen Plain
field; o. Richardson. Roxbury; Dan Rich
ardson, Watsfed; f. A. Wright, Warren;
Noah Robinson, Waterbury; j. W. Cilley,
Woodbury.; Horatio TempIeton, Worcester
The Members Of the above named Board
are requested to meet at the Grand Jury
room, in Montpelier, on Tuesday the 9Th day
of February, at one clock, 2. NJ, to APP
point Awarding COMMITTEES, and make other
arrangements for the Fair
A punctual attendance is desired.
By order of the President,
P. p PITKIN, Sec'y.