190
ON THE LIVE-STOCK
above the average, and so much labour can only be perform-ed in a sufficient manner, and at the proper season when cir-cumstances arc peculiarly favourable. Most large farms con-tain a variety of soils, at least there are many which consistchiefly of a clay soil, that include a portion of dry landsuited to turnips, oil which the ploughs may be employ-ed when the other parts of the farm are too wet for til-lage. On these farms, 50 acres, for every pair of horses, maybe in grain crops, turnips and fallow, after the land has beenfor some years under regular management *.
III. The expence of this labour, in so far as regards thehorses alone, (that is, exclusive of the wages of the plough-man, and the tear and wear of implements, but including theexpence of their harness and shoeing), varies considerably indifferent situations, even when the same number of acres iscultivated by each pair of horses. The various articles ofthis cxpence may be classed under three heads : 1. The inte-rest of their price, with an annuity sufficient to cover lossesby decline in value, and by -accidents ; 2. The value of theirfood; and, 3. The expence of harness and shoeing.
§ 1. With regard to the price of horses, it is so different,according to the form and size of the animal, and the de-mand in different seasons, that no particular sum can bestated that will apply generally to every situation, even thoughthe same extent of work is performed, nor to the same situa-tion at intervals of a few years, Strong clays require heavierhorses than light soils; and where the surface is hilly, or a farmsituated at a distance from markets, manure and fuel, a orcaterdegree of activity is necessarily required. On land of the for-mer description, fifty pounds may be a fair average, and