Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-06-18
farmer s department.
THE MULE.

would be highly desirable to be able 10 ex-
hibit a calculation of the actual saving in
dollars and cents by his employment, but
unfortunately, no correct data can be had
And as VIC consider such calculations, un-
!.;s founded on experimental facts, and
those multiplied, to be all "moonshine," We
shall merely submit desultary comparison
between the mule and the horse, derived
from such facts as our own experience and
information from authentic sources will JUS
tify the assumption of.
From what has been stated respecting the
longevity of the mule, we think it may be
fairly assumed that he does not deteriorate
more rapidly after twenty years of age than
the horse does after ten, allowing the same
extent of work and similar treatment to each.
The contrast 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 that gen.
tleman had lost several fine mules by feed
ing them on wheat-straw cut; and we have
been informed that mule-dealer, in the
western part of this State, attributed the
loss of number of young mules in severe
winter, a,few years since, when hay was ex-
hausted, to feeding them exclusively on cut
straw and Indian meal. In no other in
stance have we 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 expo
sed to cold and wet, when in a.high state Of
perspiratjon after severe labor, and drinking
to excess of cold water. From his light frame
and more cautious movements, the mule is
less subject to casualties than the horse
Indeed, it is not improbable that a farmer
may work the same team of mules above
twenty years, and never be presented with o
farrier's bill, or find it necessary to exercise
the art himself.
Sir John Sinclair, in his. report on the
Agriculture of Scotland, remarks that if the
whole period of a horses labor be fifteen
years, the first six may be equal in value to
that Of the remaining nine, therefore, a horse
of ten years old, after working six years,
may be worth half his original value. He
estimates the annual decline of horse to be
equal to fifty per cent. on his price every six
years, and supposes one out ofevery twenty
FIVE that are regularly employed in agricul-
ture, to dis every year, constituting charge
of four per cent. per anhIm for insurances
against diseases and accidents He Gopsid-
ers five acres of land, Of medium quality,
necessary for the maintenance of each horse,
and the annual expense, including harness,
shoeing, farming and decline in value, al
lowing him to cost two hundred dollars, to
exceed that sum about FIVE per cent, which
is the only difference between the estimate
of this ilustrious and accurate agricuturist
and that Of respectable committee of the
Farmers Society of Barnwell DISTRICT, South
Carolina, who, in report published in the
Charleston Courier, states that the "annual
expense of keeping horse is eqnal to his
value?" The same committee also states
that sat four years old horse will seldom
sell for more than the expense Of rearing
him." That "tho superiority of the mule
over the horse had long been appreciated by
some of their most judicious planters-that
two mules could be raised at less expense
than one horse-that mule is fit for service
at an earlier period, if of sufficient size
will perform as much labor, and, if attended
to when first put to work, his gait and hab-
its may be formed to suit the taste of the
owner" This report may be considered a
most valuable document, emanating, as 1t
does, from enlightened practical farmers, in
section of country where we may suppose
horse can be~maintained cheaper than in
any State further North.
Although mule will work and endure
on such mean and hard fare, that horse
would soon give out upon, he has an equal
relish for that which is good ; and it is strict
economy to indulge him, for no animal will
pay better for extra keep by extra work.
But if, by hard fare, or hard work, he is re-
duced to skeleton, two or three weeks rest
and good keeping will put him in flesh and
high condition for labor. We have witness
sed such examples with mules twenty years
old so much cannot be said of the horse at
that age. The expense of shoeing mule a
year round does not amount to more than
one-third that of a horse, his hoofs being
harder, tougher, and more horny, and so
slow in their growth, the shoes require no
removal, and hold on till worn out-and the
wear, from lightness of the animal, is much
less.-Bement.