Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1874-09-23

All farmers ina the Northern and
Eastern sections of the United States
supposed to be perfectly familiar with
horses, and many are also familiar with
the mule but how many are aware
that for general agricultural purposes
in the sections above referred to, the
mule may be compared with the horse
to the detriment of the latter? Too
many are apt to associate the mule with
southern plantations or mountainous
countries, under the mistaken impress.
sion that his home is there, and that be is
unfitfor ordinary farm use in northern
ATTITUDES or level countries. The mule
has long been the favorite draft ami
NAL in the South. because of his ability
to Withstand fatigue, harsh treatment,
irregularity of feeding, and because
less liable than the horse to disease of
the limbs. For the same reasons
proprietors of large farms must soon
see the economy of substituting mules
for horses. A horse, no matter in how
good condition or how sound he may
be, If placed under the care of the
average friedman, may be Car5lessly
groOmed may be over worked, under
fed, or may he frequently over-fed. 1t
is also a matter Of surprise to those not
perfectly cOnVersant with causes OF
which they can only see the effect, TO
see in how short a space of times the
ordinary farm horse becomes spawned,
ring. boned or foundered us the result OF
the careless treatment he received
at the hands Of the friedman.
The horse requires kind treatment,
with strict attention TO the quantity OF
food and in the same degree that this
is neglected, his appearance and health
are so palpably injured that his market
value Is affected. On the ether hand,
the mule Is never idstidiOus In regard
TO the quality of hi, food. He will
also thrive ana keep in good condition
on a less amount of provender than Is
required 10y q horse. a mule over
worked or over.drlyeI RECEIVERS with
far more facility than horse placed in
the same condition.
The mule being but slightly Liable Co
diseases Of the limbs which annually
spoil many fine horses, is worthy the
consideration of farmers on this Az
count if no other. Il may be asserted
10y some that mules are uutitfOr certain
kinds of farm work, as, for instance,
blowing iu heavy, tenacious clay soil.
This j. undoubtedly true OF mules
weighing from seven to eight hundred
pounds each, and placed at work which
: generally supposed to require great
weight OF carcass thrown against the
collar. But what intelligent farmer
would think Of placing a span Of
horses of the same weight at such q.
task ii he understood his business he
be would be more apt TO procure team
weighing from twelve to fifteen huud-
red each, as being better, adapted To-
perform The required task. A. there
are sarge and small horses, 50 there arr
also large and small mules, and Tie
same care and attention expended
in raising large hoIses, II directed
toward the production of large mules
will certainly insure success. If mule
are as well adapted as horses to perform
the ordinary farm work Of the sections
above referred 30, and if one span o
mules will OuLiasJ two span of horses
because of their immunity from disease
the mule il the cheaper animal, AM
consequently superior to the horse 10
agricultural purposes.-Cor. tOWHT
Gent.