Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1869-12-17
OXE.Y'.

\ good OK should have a long, lean face
and bright, hazel eye, which shows capa-
bility to receive instruction and disposition
to obey it. Large nostrils denote the capac-
ity of an OK to work in hot day. Very
large horns at the base denote laziness.
Full breast, straight back, wide ribs-by
which is meant ribs that round out nearly
as wide as the hip bones-and wide gam
brel, denote strength. Straight knees, broad
toes, pointing straight forward, show an OK
can travel on hard roads rpavement. They
should be well matched, especially in dis
position and speed.
The farmer who has a pair Of oxen an
swering this description has good team.
The next thing is a good teamster. The
better the OK the easier he is spoiled by a
man who knows not how to drive. The
teamster should have judgment in loading.
Some teamsters know no better than to
think an OK can draw anything until he
tries him. An OK should never be over
loaded to begin with. He never should
know how much he can draw, but always
have such confidence in his driver as to
think he can draw anything he may ask
him to.
n uOOu leaulSleT Will nave II Idlllt lOT tN-
cry OK, and no two in the same team should
be called by the same name; nor should he
ever speak one word that has no meaning Z;
but be sure when he calls an OK by name
to make him understand, and also 10 make
him mind what he says.
When breaking a new team, the best way
| ever found to make them know their
names is, when / call "Star," or "Broad, -
or 'Bright," or "Buck," TO lust touch the
one speak to with spur. BY that means
the OK will soon know that he is meant,
whenever he hears his name distinctly pro-
nounced.
The driver should also have one particu-
lar word to start his team with. "Come
boys" | ever found the best words to start
a heavy load with. Some seem to think,
when they are driving a team, that they
must work the whole time, either with their
tongue or whip. 1t would be a most de,ir-
able thing for such to learn, when the team
are doing Just right, to keep tongue and
whip perfectly still. What would YOU think
of an officer who, when his men were march,
ing along as handsomely as possible, should
keep swinging his sword and jabbering in
cessantly without meaning2
All the words needed in driving are very
few. | think the following are sufficient /:
"Come," "Haw, gee" "Whoa, ""Back. :"
These, properly used, are all that are need
ed. Much talk makes confusion.
| have known some men to halloo and
bawl all day long, and make themselves
hoarse, who cold not at night give any
meaning to one word in ten they had said
Such would do well TO first learn themselves
before they try to teach their oxen.
A good teamster will make his cattle love
him. This can only be done by constant
and kind treatment, such as carding, strok-
ing their faces, and occasionally breathing
in their nostrils This last is the best meth
cd to find ont the disposition of an OK.
When You have breathed a few times in his
nostrlls, If he is kind he will hold up his
nose, otherwise he will catch it away, and
perhaps toss horn at you. In short, make
yourself sociable with them, and they will
amply repay you for your Kindness. New
err strike an OK unless compelled by obsti-
macy, and by proper management that ne
cessity will occur very, very seldom.