Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-05-05
FARMERS REPOSITORY.
Ei0m The american Farmer.
THE. MULE.


IN essay on The natural history Of the Mule,
(Muies Equius) and a comparison Of its
ufiiify ~ .9griemi,Ee ,rih that Of the
Horse. by James Hood. Of John. Baltimore
county.
The mule is hybridous animal. and
like other animals which are the pro
duct OF two different species. is inca
pable OF propagatisg IT'S kind; il may
be engendered either between a horse
and the ass. or between a jackass and
mare; Of which two varieties. the
latter is preferable being larger. stron-
ger. and better shaped. In it, appear
ance. the animal partakes Of the nature
OF both ~ pTogeni,ors: its head. neck.
and belly. resemble those of the ass,
aBd are dlsproportioDate; ia it's limbs.
however. we discover the graceful out
line, the freezes, nf motion, and the
admirable display of muscle. which
characterize the horse it is generally
smaller than common sized animal
oil the latter species, but IN Spain,
where great attention is bestowed upon
ITS improvement. II has been known To
be seventeen hands high. In liz dis
position, 10 10 naturally wild and un.
governable. but in this respect il is sus.
ceptible Of great Improvement, by
proper education and the obstinacy
which Il exhibits at times when domes
tlcated, IS oftener the result Of an i'm
proper treatment, than an inherent III
nature. Its boots, which are small and
oil an oval shape. are remarkable for
s0lidity and hardness, and as il moves
with a firm and clear step, they arc
very rarely injured, and need but little
artlticiai protection. II is naturally
liable 20 but few diseases. inheritinu
he hardy constitution Of the ass, while
is exempt from the tenderness of the
hoTse. No insects are generated IN
to skin, as IN that Of the horse, which
pre- dangerous to its life nor does IL
anguish aud pine away like him, when
u 10 put upon poor fare the scanty
herbage Of the Alps and Andes are suf-
ilelent to satisfy its desire, and il per
forms Journeys by slipping, or rather
sliding down the precipices Of those
mountains, carrying heavy burdens
during the day, and seeking food dur
ing the night, while it msnifestS, at the
same time, the warmest attachment TO
those who thus exact its toll, without
supplying its wants. Another remark.
able trait in the history Of the mule, is
ITS longevity; il retains its vigour 10
al age more than double than az which
the horse begins TO decline; though it
/ IS generally exposed 20 innumerable
hatdships, the effects Of time upon IL
are generally first manifested by a d.
arrhda. which IS probably owing 60 the
failure OF ITS digestive organs, ia the
performance Of their functions.
The writer 0f this essay, after thirty
years experience ia the use of the mule
and a close observation of it, manners
and nature during that time. is fully
convinced Of its superiority over the
horse for agricultural purposes. The
rIrcumstance which led him 10 prefer
ther use IN this way. was some v hat
singular; when he first commenced
planting and farming. he settled in =
neIghbOFhoOd Of one Of his acauaintsn.
ces, who pFided himself upon ksrp,nO
q team Of large and fat horses. the rres.
Ger part Of which were frequently IDLE (;
being a near neighbor, he immediately
easght the horse mania from him. and
SET Up ard Supported team tor near
three years. AZ a considerable expense;
hnding At thIs time that his horses we're
consuming nearly all the KraiA which
h iarm produced. that he Wa taxed
- p iear ~ith smiths account, ~ =
large add unnecessary amount, and