LESSON XXV.
1. To-day we are to find out what the horse is good for. Charlie will tell us whether the horse is of any use on the farm.
2. We could not get on very well without horses on the farm. They are very strong, and will do a great deal of work that a man can not do.
3. They carry us on their backs, and draw great loads that half a dozen men could not move.
4. With them we plow and harrow and prepare the ground for planting. If we did not have horses, or other animals that can do the same kind of work, a man could only plant a little patch that he could dig up with a spade.
5. They draw loads of grain and fruit to market,and bring back what is needed on the farm. They draw in the hay in summer and bring up the wood in winter. They take to market the things which we raise on the farm, and bring back the goods which we buy at the store.
6. They will work from morning till night, in all kinds of weather, and are ready to get up and be off whenever they are needed.
7. When they have a heavy load, they walk along slowly; when a light one, they trot along quite rapidly. But if the doctor is needed, somebody jumps on the back of a horse, and off he gallops like the wind.
8. Then we harness the horses to a light wagon and take a ride; sometimes we go on a visit, sometimes to mill, sometimes on a picnic, and on Sundays we go to church.
9. In the winter, when snow is on the ground, horses draw sleighs instead of wagons. The sleigh makes but little noise in slipping over the snow, and a string of bells is put upon the horse to let people know that the sleigh is coming, so that no one need be run over.
10. When we go out sleigh-riding, all wrapped up in blankets and robes, the horses scud along, the bells jingle, and we have a gay time.