Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-02-18
Ine FARM TEAM.

There Il nothing which auus more 10
the reputation of farmer than to drive
good team. As horses are now we'll
bred and cheap, all may have them. A
writer who is posted SAYS: | have op-
portunity OF seeing gr-at many farm
teams at work In the various ways In
which they must be employed, and am
repeatedly impressed that one Of the
most serious weaknesses in the farm
equipment Is the horse power. Not that
the horses are always physically weak ;
| though many times tley are poorly
cared for, while at Others the thought OF
speed on the road has been the control
ling one in breeding or buying. Usually
in breeding for colts from heavy mares
and ,rotting- bred horses, combination
OF the desirable features Of both ances-
tors Is expected, but never obtained.
There Is entirely too much OF the feel
ing among farmers that the horses that
will not sell for the best prices are good
enough for the farm work. Nor would
it be wise for them generally 10 keep the
most salable horse. A slight blemish or
odd color does not lessen the value OF a
horse for service. The thought would
urge as the controlling one In selecting
a team is to get great power combined
with ambition and speed in the walking
gait. Nearly all farm work has to be
done on a walk. With sufficient size
and energy given | would rate teams in
value for farm service in the order Of
their walking speed at their natural step.
IL Is not the team that has the possible
speed under constant urging, but the
team with spontaneous activity.
There il no place except plowing un-
cleared land where slow gait Is desira-
BILE. Ii is much preferable TO hold a
team in for this short job, IL such Is to be
done, tn urging them on all the rest OF
the year. The natural gait of farm
team should not be less than three miles
an hour while at their work. This not
only makes the team more profitable,
but greatly increases the service OF their
driver. With a team weighing 5000
pounds when in working condition, well
mated In temperament and ability, my
assistant last spring plowcd, narrowed,
rolled aud planted 10 corn twelve acres
OF ground In little less than six days.
When cultivstlng 10 corn the third time,
he did II with riding cultiyator In just
eight aud one-half hours. The field was
already clean. All that was needed was
to stir the surface Of the soil. This
could be done Just as well at four-mile-
to-the- hour rate as AT half that. SO In
narrowing, rolling, moving, reaping-in
fact, all farm work-a fast-waiking team
is highly desirable.
About equally important with this Is
that the team he well mated, not In color
or style. though these are desirable, but
In temperament and ability. One ambi-
lious and one lazy horse make most
unpleasant tesm. They should be about
evenly matched in strength also, for
there are many times when their
strength will need TO be tested. | am
strongly 10 favor Of large horses for farm
work-not the clumsy, elephantine type,
but large, muscular. spirited horses. |
fiud them among high grade Percherons.
when satisfactory team Is once
found. il must be kept. This Is a point
on which farmers generally are exceed
ingly careless. They declare that any-
thing they have Is for sale. They will
sell one or both Of their team At a reason-
able offer. Then train your team. The
real value OF team can be increased
many times by proper training. When
a man reflects that he Is To work team
for ten. fifteen or twenty years, he will
awaken TO the importance OF having
them trained. Few farmers think OF
teaching their horse more than TO start
and stop at the word, and many slap
or Jerk Of the lines Is required for these.
From the methods, or rather lack of
method, notice prevail among farmer.
in handling their teams, am convinced
that the first thing necessary for better
training Of farm teams Is 10 train the
trainers. 4 horse learns by repetition.
So there must be system in his training.
Have one word and only one, for each
command. IL not obeyed al first, re-
peat In a commanding tone, hut not In
threatening one. Never get horse
afraid of you. 1t is not necessary in
order that he obey. Indeed he Is not
nearly so apt TO obey II he stands In fear
OF YOU. He will not give consideration
10 what YOU say-will rather be on guard
10 escape your chsstisements. Kindness
aud firmness are OF supreme Importance.
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