Rensselaer Union, Volume 1, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 August 1869 — Care of Working Oxen In Summer. [ARTICLE]

Care of Working Oxen In Summer.

All farmers who are accustomed to keeping oxen for farm work are aware of their value, but a large number of them do not treat the poor animal with that care and kindness that his patience and labor justly entitle him to. A very good day’s -work may lie obtained from a pair of oxen in the warmest weather if they are put to it at the right hours. They should lie put to work at four o’clock in fee morning and taken off at ten. From that time until four o’clock in the afternoon they should be permitted to rest and feed in a shaded, airy place. If fed on grass, it should be cut and brought to them so that they need no£ be compelled to graze in the sun. They may then be worked from four until seven or eight o’clock in the evening, which will make nine or ten working hours a day, leaving them eight hours to feed and rest at night. By dividing*their time in this way they mav be worked every day, and if properly fed and watered, will keep in good condition. This arrangemeut of time may not suit the taste or convenience of the man or boy who has to work with them, as he would like to lay in bed two or three hours longer in the morning and he can stand the lieat of the sun better than the oxen; but the arrangement would be as good for him as them. The only difficuly to be overcome is the habit of a morning nap; and this ought to be gracefully yielded to for humanity’s sake. —American Stock Journal.