The Bossier banner., 1892-01-07
FARMER AND PLANTER.
THE MULE.
He is Fast Living Down the Opprobrlum
of His Ancestry,

| He Is Fast Living Down the Opprobrlum
| of His Ancestry.
| 1t is not many years ago that when
a mare had become useless as dam
for fine colts she was put to raising
mules, though at this time some of the
best mares in the country are used for
| this purpose, good mule being worth
more, coming into use sooner. and with
less expense to raise. Nature, however,
says just so far and no farther, for when
we once breed mare to jack her es-
cutcheon is indelibly marked, and she
will never drop perfect colt again,
but, no matter how carefully bred, her
progeny will forever bear the impress
Of braying mule, and even the mule
is debarred from maternity and pater-
nifty, it being very rare for mule to
breed, though the sexual instinct is
very strong in both sexes.
The supply of these mongrels comes
from nearly every part of the world
where horses are bred in captivity. In
both of the Americas they are now
bred very extensively; in some sections,
notably in the southern states and Mex
IL
lean mules, resulting from cross with
mustang mares, hence good reputation
abroad, are very tough and hardy, but
inclined to be treacherous and must be
kept at work. In Europe the main
source of mule supply is Spain, France
and Italy, those derived from the Potion
being especially fine; north and south
Africa, Asia Minor, Cyprus Syria and
Persia, also China may be included
among places from which mules are
imported.
1t is fact very significant that the
best place to find expensive, good
mules, are those celebrated for the
production of good horses. In all
probability mule breeding pays better
than horse breeding, the young mule |
requiring less trouble to raise and |
bringing higher price Every mare
suitable to horse breeding, but bred to
a jack, is an absolute loss to the coun-
try permanently for breeding horses,
but only temporarily gain for raising
mules. The mule is beast of burden
and nothing more, though it has been
known to breed back to a horse. So
is this fact understood in
France that the steed department there
has had to adopt measures to repress the
breeding of mules. The French in
Algeria found the mules very sure-foot-
ed, strong limbs, hard hoof, which do
not, like that of horse, dry up under
The influence OF heat. with quick, solid,
step.
1t has been found that mules step
onger than the horse, and have n re-
narkable power OF going up or down
steep places and of cleverly turning
'narp corners, sure of the worst of
'oads, quiet, easy to please as regards
IT food, tolerant of heat and thirst, re-
luiring drink less often and in less
mount than the horse, more inteIli-
'ent than usually given credit for, and
Luite susceptible of attachment and
to good treatment He
a model animal of trapsport
lie can be ridden, driven or l
sed for pack purposes; he will I
AIRY sick or wounded persons easily. l
ives but little trouble over shoeing,
nd may be left unshod behind espe-
lally-for long time without detri- 7
1ent He is rather choice in his selec- II
ION OF water, and moist, cold weather t
unsuited to him; though he exhibits Il
notable freedom from disease. he suf- Ii
BIS severely from specific affections. e
Le works longer than the horses, though
trlfie longer in fully maturing. He v
lherits the sobriety, patience, endur- g
nee and sure-footedness of the lack. a
nd the vigor, strength and courage of b
lie horse. Making allowance for size. el
carries one-third more weight than 81
le horse, hence is essentially ' a pack fl
nlmal' Somewhat of the opprobrium.
MUST, which hangs in the mist abont w
IS progenitor. the jack still influences "
le popular views of the mule, but in b
lis age he is fast living this down. tc
or. Nebraska Farmer al