Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-01-07
Mules.

Mr. B. Munroe, of Woodford county, KY, furnishes
to an exchange an interesting article upon the mule
trade, from which we make the following extract -
The mule trade is one of the largest of Kentucky,
and affords of her chief of revenue. The
increasing demand for them in the south, among the
gar and cotton planters (which is owing doubt to
the great number of farms annually being opened,) af
Ords very easy solution for the eagerneSs and extent
to which stock growers launch into the trade for it is
very heavy business requiring great deal of capital
The mule is fed from weaving time (which is generally
at the age of five six months to the full extent of its
capacity to eat and that too oats and corn together
with hay and Cdder In lieu of the long food song is
usually adopted in the summer they kept confined
in pound or paddock containing an acre or two Of
ground which is usually partially shaded in herds of one
hundred and fifty. In this way they kept until the
fall after they are two years DID, receiving sort of forcing,
hot house treatment At this age they taken to the
southern market, not always by the feeder, but
generally by the speculaor trader there they
sold to the planter entirely unbroken The planters
too cautious to buy broke mule lest it should prove to
be antquated broken-down beast attened up, and
sold for young it is difficult to Judge of
their ages than that of horse The external mark OF
time and service is not generally apparent upon them
But 1t is small job to break mule. 1t is only Deces
sary to have steady horse to work them with, and
second hand to drive them hour two to keep him
up, after which he is considered ready for any service
that the farmer may require OF him. He may kick once
twice, but is unlike the spirited horse, Who when he
commences is apt to kick himself out OF the harDessbe
fore he stops. I'd. .-r.e ~ r...., ,-.
There in this county. In the year 1855, 10000
mules in 1856 there were 60S The number in the
county present l nave of ascerUanlng, bat
suppose IT Is at least as great perhaps greater than in
ANY previous year. The probabilities are that all OF
these many led IN this county each year.
The counties immediately around no doubt fed equally
as many, some The counties Of Bourbon, Fay
cite, Clark Jessamne engaged quite as axOeu-
slvely in the Trade as this
Besides the great number Ot mules Ted annually Ia
these counties, supply NeW Orleans New York, and
other cities, with immense amount OF beei, mutton
aud bacon These facts being cosdered you may read
NY imagine that we must. OI necessity, De grangrow
ing people, Such is the fact Yet SO extensive is the
mule business and great the profits upon feeding
that those engaged in the trade can afford to give 40
per bushel for corn, they say so and
not get it for less.
The average price of weanlings is about $75. No.
from $50 to $780, and extra often as high as $l20
lot will often change hands often dozen times
before they ready for market YearDgs will aver
age suppose about $l00, owing, in great extent,
however, to their quality AT two years old they will
bring 1925 30 if they average select lots more
neighbor of mine is feeding lot of hundred for
which am told he has refused $l75 around But this
is an extra lot, doubt the best lot in Kentucky The
same gentleman gave short time ago $500 for two
year old to work to his sulky, and is working to his
farm, for which am told he paid 5000 each. Another
gentleman of this county sold short time ago, two
year old mule for $400 But these fancy prices
for fancy mules There is small and inferior class of
animals that is considered sort of dead heads and
which the feeder won't buy if offered alone, and these
are ones usually found in service on the FARMS