Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-09-22
A CHAPTER ON ASSES.

Under this title the Boston Courier has
given a summary Of a disquisition on the util-
ity of Asses and Mules by Mr.. Skinner, the
editor of the American Farmer, published at
Baltimore. The Courier has mingled with
his digest various humorous but bitter paral-
lels and contrasts between the veritable quad
rupeds and some varieties of the biped ass
and mule. These We omit, as we do not be-
lieve in the benefit of bltters of any sort, and
take some oftle more practically useful facts
presented of the four-footers.
Mr.. Skinner thinks that of all animals the mule is
the one best CO lculatcd to work he longest and cheap
est, and with most effect in this country, and that the
increase of the species ought to be encouraged. He
tells OF his own experience; and gives one rccommen-
dntlon, IN SAVING, that though the mule may be the
cause OF falls IN others, no man ever yet saw a mule
fall down. What an excellent animal for the saddle.
The ass 10 much behed in the general slpposition that
he is "viciou~, .%tubborn and slow" for we have the au-
thority of Sir John Sinclair, who remarks, after an
experience of thirty years, that he never knew Of but
one that had any viciu US propenciiies, and those might
have been subdued by proper management when
young.
Sir John say that he has found them truer pullcrs
and quicker travellers with a load than horses, and
that their vision is more accurate. He has used them
IN his family carriage, and in n gig, and under the sad
die, The mule is more steady in his draueht than
the horse, and never starts or runs, and is easily taught
to obey implicitly the voice of his oliver.
Mr.. J.. N. Hamilton, of the U. S. Navy,
contends that the Ass of Malta is the finest
variety Of the race. This, we suppose, must
be substantially of the same stock as the
Spanish Ass, which has long been famous.
In Sir George Slaunton's account Of the embassy
IN China we arc told that u1ules r y,Iuod IN ,h,,
economical empire at a much higher price than hor-
SEES. General Washington was a breeder of mules,
and, as member and officer Of tho jockey club at Al
exandria, thought them of much value. Six of his
favorltes sold after his death at the rate Of two hun
dred dollars each.
The longevity Of the mule is vcry remark
able. Pliny, the Roman writer on rural af-
fairs, is cited as giving an account Of mule,
which, at the age of so years, was voted by
the Athenians to have free access TO the grain
market for its voluntary service in assisting
to carry up the Acropolis materials for the
famous temple of Minerva. DR.. Rees, the
Encyclopedia, mentions two in England
that were 20 years old (; and Mr.. Skinner.
father saw one at work in a sugar mill, which
was 40 years old, and he owned one whicI
had been constantly worked 81 years.
Another very important fact is that the as
and the mule will do more work and on les:
food, than the horse.
Mules are more used in Spain and Portugal than il
any other countries, and the King of the former uset
them for his carriage. In Lisbon, the wisdom of Dol
Pedro used to drive SIX most splendid grey mules. II
Egypt, there is a beautiful race o glasses, small but ex
quisitely formed, OF great spirit, and much used 70
The saddle.
Mules are regarded by agricultmrists who have useC
them, as superior 10 the horse for all purposes ant
one writer affirms without. fear of contradiction, tina
their disposition TO mischief proceeds from neglect
they are not more mischievous Than horses, but PEG
! pie are disposed TO think that they can be abused viii
impunity and left TO starve without dancer.
Mules are not subject to many diseases, and al
that they do labor under, or nearly all, can be cureI
BY bleeding ut the mouth and by being turned out t
pasture they will recover from almost any accident.