Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-05-05

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four years:
Multiplying 1924. the annual expense
OF SIX horses, BY II, We shall OBJ
tain the cost OF one set of,hose an.
finals during the time they are able
TO isboar. s3,I6s 90
The horses are then worn ont, and il
viii be necessaryto procure new
set. each Of which we wall suppose
cost $50, .so 90
Adding again the amount Of their sup
. port during the remaining twelve
years. 3,I6S 90
Total cost s6.8I6 oOI
Let this sum be compared with that
tsshich Is sufficient To keep the planta-
ton stocked with mules.
The shoeing end keeping six mules
during % years, will amount tn s., 1853 90
Subtract this from the amount peces-
sary to the same number Of horses
the same time. 6,si6 90
We shall have the difference be.
tween them, s3.64s OOI
Facts thus plainly stated. and cal
cuiatIons thus clearly made out, ought
to be sufficient to convince any man of
the advantages he would gain. bv sub
stituting the mule for the horse, in the
labour OF his farm; they are particu-
larry worthy the attention Of those
whose plantations are small; it is only
by noticing and taking the advantage
OF circumstances like these. that such
persons can pursue their business with
out embarrassment; farmers and plan
ters live more Independently If a cir
cula'ing medium than any other class
OF men in the community but still the
structure Of society is such that thew
cannot be who'll Y disconnected with II.
and this connexion, slight as il is, may
involve them in difficulties, unless they
pay the strictest attention to economy.
There 10 probably no ono instance, in
which agriculturlsts will feel the force
ri these remarks. more than in the pay
ment of their taxes: Of this We will a.
vail ourselves on the present occasion.
Taxes must be paid in money; this is
demand which may endanger the te-
nure by which they hold their land, nm :
less it be promptly satisfied; and he
who has expended his produce unne-
cessari'y. will run u great risk in expe-
rIencIng the worst effects of such avoid.
able waste. Now. il will be seen by
a reference TO the calculations which
we have made, that manv. by reason of
an unWarrantable prejudice against the
mule. waste an amount in fattening
aud keeping horses which would be
more than sufficient To pay their taxes.
Can any one then be called an econo-
mist. whn does not prefer the mule to
the horse, in perfurning the work Of
his plantation And the writer is Of
opinion, that Il the prejudice against
the mule was done away. and proper
attention given 10 the raising and
breaking Of them. that the mule would
be more seryiceable in the coach or
stage than the horse. In Germany,
they arc highly valued by the nobility,
who drive them in their coaches. The
writer has raised some mules that are
perfectly manageable, and the wild ma
ture so completely overcome and done
away. that they are as fond Of being
handled as house pigs, even on that
part which the mule 10 so tenacious of
suffering TO be touched, which is his
ears. Whether this objection arises
from an instructive knowledge Of the
consequence Of his ears. they being the
most prominent feature by which his
dom character is determined, 1 know
not.
There IL another important eircum-
stance which ought to be taken into
the account; We sllude to the patience
Of the mule under suffering. II ap-
pears 10 endure neglect or III treat
ment ~ = manner which makes IL pc
culiarly proper IN many parts Of this
country, where the live stock of farm
must BE- left in a great measure TO the
care and management Of negroes. IL
is we'll known, that this class Of man
kind almost universally abuse and
neglect horses, although these animals
cannot endure ill-ireatmsnt; every
man Of humanity. therefore. will feet
u his interest sud duty. when II is in
his power, 10 entrust hm slaves with
such animals only Is will not be likely
~ suffer from their neglect.
The writer will conclude with few
remarks on the rearing and manner of
feeding mules. The mares selected
for the purpose of breeding and raising
the colts. should be gentle. good TEN.
pered, large. ami Kind 20 work. IN
the time ~ seeking. the mothers should
frequently b. employed. IN "rder that
frequent opportunities may BE- obtain
90 fer handling and tanning the colts.
and rendering them familiar With their
keepers: By pursuing this plan, the
Mid nature ma. b. entirely overcome.
and the ungoyrrnable disposition sob
dued. and he mule rendered a. man.
ae-eahle and a karrnless a tke i,rs.