Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1851-06-24
From the American Agriculturist E.
Economy ofUsing Mules.

tbs still mooted question which is the
most economical for plantation purposes il
this country, the mule or horse. Many use
both some use only mules and won't have
horse for ordinary work on the place, while
Others will not have a mule; but as | stick tC
the latter, | propose to give some reasons fol
the preference, and a neighbor Of mine who
is altogether in favor ofhOrses has promised
to answer me through the same medium, il
you sec proper to publish this oommunica-
ton.
According to my experience, in which
am backed by "Old Joe," who was an old
man as long ago as | can remember, and for
many years head man of my fathers farm,
mules live twice as long as horses at the
same kind of work. We have mules now
upon this plantation that have worked thirty
years; that is from three years to thirty three
authority tRSi f65 above fI duCta3 3s9Pend 9 upon the
bought the year | was born. Certainly
there" is one which has been called Old Joe's
mule ever since | can remember anything;
and he is a serviceble old fellow yet. He
and his old driver, now as free as his mule or
his master, have both grown grey together;
and it is sometimes question with Mrs. w.
when she locks upon tho old man mounted
in his car with three or four Of our children,
which he has the most affection for, his old
mule or his young master. But to proceed
with my argument.
Instances are known of mules living sixty
years, but that is probably as unusual as for
horse to reach the age of thirty. | ain sat-
isfied they average twice the ago of horses.
Mules are not so liable to disease as horses;
as the great annual loss of horses all over
the country will fully prove. 1 have been
told the death of horses in the city of New
York is so frequent, that many persons are
procuring mules, and that some of the own
ers Of omnibus lines have it in contemplation
to substitute mules. How is it!
Mules rarely go blind, which cannot be
said of horses. was in Baltimore last sum-
mer, and it appeared to me that almost half
the horses in the streets had lost their sight.
The hearing of mule is much moro acute
than that ofa horse, and from this fact, and
that they SEQ better, they are much less like
ly TO sheer off or frighten at sight or sound Of
any object along the road side which horse
does, because he imagines he sees or hears
something frightful, while the mule with his
clear eye and quick ear detects the truth at
once. For this reason mue is surer foot
cd than horse, and is therefore greatly
preferred by travlers over mountains and
dangerous paths, and for tho same reason,
mules ought to be preferred for the use Of
ladies and children; and when well trained,
are sufficiently spirited for all ordinary oeca
ions.
Mules are able to endure the heat while
laboring much better than horses. | have a
very small pair which arc nine years old
that | should not hesitate moment to match
against pair ofhorses of the same age and
double weight. to plow twice as much
ground in one week of summer weather, to
forfeit the team that first failed, the horses to
be allowed just twice as much food as the
mules. And this is no inconsiderable item
in favor of mules upon plantation, and still
more whero food is to be purchased; for it is
a well known fact that mule will live and
work we'll upon rations that a horse would
starve on in month. The enormous guam
tity of food consumed by horses in this coun
try, and moro particularly in Europe, is
matter Of serious consideration, and should
be strong argument in favor OF substituting
animals that would perform tho samo labor
while consuming less than one half the food.
could 60 on at great length with my ar
gument in behalf of my fayorite animal of all
work, but think have said enough for n
commencement.