Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1850-03-27

sumo IN N eW-Engfand anu every gay >
experience has served TO fortify my convic-
.ion of the superior utility of the mule over
the horse, for all the purposes for which J
have proposed him as candidate. And 1t
should be considered that those have used
were of an ordinary breed, vastly inferior
10 such as may be easily produced in our
country, by attention to the introduction OF
a suitable race Of Jacks, and proper sys-
tenn Of breeding and management.
The question occurs, how IS this TO be
effected ? will premise, that there exists
strong analogy between three varieties OF
the horse, and those Of the domestic ass,
considered the most valuable. We have
the .lrabian, the hunter, and the stout cart
horse. There is the heavy Spanish Jack,
with long sloching ears, which Mr.. Cuslls
has described, that answers TO the cart
horse another Spanish breed called the
.4ndalusian, with ears shorter and erect, OF
tolerable size, plenty of bone, active, more
spirited, and answering to The hunter
Then comes the Arabian Jack, with ears
always erect, Of delicate form, fine limbs,
and full Of fire and spirit. Judlcious crosses
from these varieties, will be requisite to
produce such kind of mules as may be want
ed for general purposes. From the small
Jach of African origin, with a list down
his back and shoulders, are bred small
race Of mules, bv far the most hardy OF
any. With attention to selection in breed
ing the Jacks, with, perhaps, dash Of some
cross of he.foregoing description, stock
of mules may be produced, preferable TO all
others for the light lands and cotton culture
of the middle and southern states.
From what has been stated respecting
the longevity Of the mule, think it may
be fairly assumed, that he does not de,eri
oate more rapidly after tacenty gears of age
than the horse after ten, allowing the same
extent Of work and similar treatment 10
each. The conras, in the mules freedom
from malady or disease, compared with The
horse, is not less striking. Arthur Young,
during his tour in Ireland, was Informed
ha, gentleman had lost several fine mules
by feeding them on wheat straw cut And
have been informed ,hata mule dealer, in
lie western part of Newly ork, attributed
the loss of a number of young mules, in a
severe winter, when his hay was exhausted,
to feeding them exclusively on cut straw
and Indian-corn meal. In no other in
stance have eyer heard or known of mule
being attacked with any disorder or COM
plant, except two or three cases Of inham-
nation Of the intestines, caused by gross
neglect in permitting them to remain ex-
posed TO cold and wet when in a high state
Of perspiration after severe labour, aud
drinking to excess Of cold water.
From his ligh, frame and more cautions
movements, the mule is less subjec, to
casualties than The horse. Indeed i. is not
improbable that farmer may work the
same team Of mules above tacenty gears and
never be presented with farrier's bill,
or find it necessary to exercise the art him
self
cannot resist the impulse TO exhibit the
mule in one other poin. Of view. For the
movement of machinery, the employmen, OF
this animal, when jndciously selected has
met with most decided preference, IN COM
parison with the horse, Independent. Of the
economy of using him. And If we consider
the rapidly and probably progressive in
crease of labour saving machines, in every
department where they can be made sub
servient TO the requirements Of society, il
is evident there will be corresponding de-
mand for animal power, as we'll as for that
more potent, derived from the elements and
although The latter may vastly predominant
yet should The horse be employed, and his
increase for other purposes continue, as it
now does, in the ratio Of population, the
number, at no very distant period, may be-
come as alarming in our own, as i. is a,
present in our mother country: And not
withstanding we may Feel secure, from the
extent of our territory, and extreme diver
sly Of SOL and climate, but, above all, from
beng in possession of Indian corn,-,he
GOLDEN FLEECE. found by our ''Pilgrin
Fathcrs," when they first landed on these
shores; ; yet such peculiar advantages may
not insure us against the visitations Of one
of the most Distressing calami,ies that a
feeling community can possibly be sub
Ijecled to-"
l. The impressions of Mr. Andrew EIlicott,
Ias to the economy and powers of the
mule, solicited because Of his extraordi-
nary opportunities 10 speak upon 'ne SUD-
jeci, cannot be better given than in his own
words
GA mule, with one feed of six quarts OF
oats or rye, and furnished with good hay,
can be supported in good order. A team
of six mules, kept a, hay, can be supported
with one bushel and a half Of shi stuff
with cut straw-or with one bushel of corn,
divided into two feeds, per day. They do
not require water in as great quantity, or as
often as horse, but they thrive better by
being watered often.
"A mule weighing 700 Ibs., al the Patux-
enl Furnaces, carries daily fifteen tons Of