Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1900-03-09
An Ohio Farmer Asks and Ans,
Vers This Question.
TELLS OF THE PROFIT TO
Be Gained by Farmers If They Will
Pay More Attention to This Part
of Their Work--Some Timely
Comparisons.

We publish by request the follow
ing article from the National Stock
man and Farmer, entitled. why
Raise Mules 20
1st.-They can be raised cheaper than
any other stock.
2nd.-Will go into market sooner
than horses.
3rd.-Can be handled and worked at
two years old; if properly handled. will
do as much work as a four-year.old
colt and be the better for it.
4th.-Are less liable to contract dis
eases than the horse. Pasture a num-
Der of colts through the grazing sea-
son, and you will find plenty of blem-
ishes at feeding time. Mules prove
the contrary, and have few, if any,
blemishes and their value is not de-
creased by blemishes as horse.
5th.-They instinctively avoid holes
and dangerous places. A pair of rum
away mules seem to run more from
sport than fright and generally wind
up safely; frightened horse seems to
go crazy and dashes into anything.
Mules seem naturally to avoid any OBJ
stacle. The mules steady nerve enable
him to live to greater age than the
horse.
6th.-Can stand heat better than the
horse. Try pair of each to your
binder some sultry day, and l think
you will be in favor of the mules. Are
not easy to sweat, are steady and can
be relied upon.
7th.-Can stand more abuse and
hardship than a horse, but are a very
sensitive and sensible animal, and re-
spond quickly to kind treatment by
docility and gentleness.
Sth.-The profit in mule raising is
their quick growth, they are market
able at three years old. A horse colt
cannot be sold to an advantage until
five-so that the price OF two years
feeding and handling is saved.
9th.-There is always steady de
mand for good mules. A buyer will al
ways handle them. II there are plenty
of mules raised in section Of country,
there will be plenty Of mule buyers
Mule buyers are not going where there
are no mules to buy. In time of war
in any country. mules are always pick
ed up and are very highly priced and
high priced. Why? Because they
must have them; they endure all kinds
of hardships; the heavy jawbone OF the
mule can masticate any kind Of rougE
| food.
1Oth.-Can be raised and HANDLED
with same care as cattle and sheep
Buyers make money buying at wean
ing time and by pasturing and feeding
1S months have them ready for th
market.
| 11th.-As compared with cattle: Z
steer will eat as much as a pair o
mules. A good steer at three year
old is worth $40 or $75. Pair Of mule
at same age (good ones) will sell fror
5000 to $3.50, and have not eaten an
more feed.
. 12th.- Compared with the hog: Fee
the same amount of feed into a bunc
of mules you do your hogs and sc
which will make the most money, an
no risk to run regarding cholera.
18TH Compared with butter cattl'
A good cow fed to make butter wi
consume as much or more feed than
pair of mules from the time droppt
until three years old. Now, maxim
80 pounds of butter per month for tt
> months, making 800 pounds a yea
j., selling, say, at 20 cents per pound (o
. ten 10 cents) in three years you W
4 make $3.50. Counting further thr
calves at $40 each, in all making $2l
:. Now in three years your mules a
y y ready for the market and will bril-
y 70 5000 or $3.50 per pair. You will escal
- the milk pail; your family t.
V churning and caring for the milk; Al
~ :, you are still ahead.
- 14th.-As for line animals they ca
y not be beaten. Many large nursel
men are using them altogether. Tt
~ are careful and obedient. In tendi
6" young trees seldom break or init
them.
% 15th.-As they will not breed-tl
eo were created for a special purpos
w and that is true, honest, durable a
' valuable workers-taking the place
" a team or a yoke Of oxen.
A. KREKLER
Preble county. O,