The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-12-29
Merits OF the Mule.

We regard the mule AS an animal OF
such value as to be entitled to greater
consideration than it generally receives,
In an economical point of view its merits
are conspicuous. To say that the animal
is tough expresses prominent char
acteristic most fully. 1t will live and
work under positive abuse, and while
it certainly does do, it seems to die
about as seldom as anything we know
of. The very appearance of the mule
qualities. and it does stay wherever and
at whatever you choose TO put it. 1t
eats less and does more work proper
tionally than a horse Wilde. Of course
there is n difference in mules as there
is difference in horses. We have seen
mules that were of weak constitution
and could stand but little, but we never
saw many such. We have seen those,
too, that would eat more than large
horse, but they were exceptions to
the rule Our observation, and what
little eNreriance we have had with the
animal leads us to very different con-
illusions to those which most people
arrive at. The general opinion is that
the mule is a stubborn, ill-natured, Spite
full creature that kicks for the fun of the
thing, and usually prefers going back
ward to going forward when the driver
is in special hurry. On the contrary
We have usually found the animal to be
patient and willing, and not half so in
cined to kick as it is given credit for
tits rather slow in its movements, but
it's quite as rapid as hundreds of our
80, Tt e, g
bu that same indictment can be
. made against entirely too many of our
hoses. We have not arrived at that
pont where we can say with truth that
beauty is very much ofageneral consid-
er,tion. There is no use in having a
horse so ugly that he is "a sight to be-
hold" when by the exercise of "A little
care we can have good looking stock. But
the mule makes up in other qualities
what he lacks in beauty, and if we have
, Inn at all we must take him as he is.
There is not much opportunity to i'm
prove his looks. He will ALWAYS be 3
mule. t.,,.' .....
Wedo believe, however, that its man.
ners can be considerably improved,
when they need improving. Like the
native cow and hog. the mule has not
had much inducement to be different
from what it is. 1t receives no special
training and there is not much kindness
wasted upon it. 1t is oftener struck than
it is petted, and We have known some
naturally excellent mules to be spoiled
in handling. especially at the time, OF
breaking. We recall to mind a mule
that made most wicked kicker through
no. Al
thought it was the result of natural
ms!ishness. Generation after genera
ton of bad managenient and positive
abusive. will leave its marks upon the
character of any animal; and
we once knew of amule that by judicious
handling such handling as would be
given TO a vicious horse-was made as
gentle as could be desired, although
originally very vicious
. The freedom Of the mule from disease
Is ofr thing that strongly recommend.
it. 1t is very seldom sick, and has proved
invincible to some of the worst epidem-
les that We ever had. In fact and in
short. the mule is usually ready for
service at all times, will do its work
well, and with much less care than
/ horse will do it. 1t is not well in select
Ning team of mules to get those which
are too small. A small mule will eat
as much as q large one! and is not the
equal of the latter in heavy work.
While they will do all they can, they
cannot be expected to perform inn
possibilities. and TO expect them to
do more than they have strength to do,
us expecting an impossibility. West
o,.,, Es,r