Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-08-30
BREEDING MULE IN GEORGIA

mule does not constitute MAAcA may ~
termed a true breed as the meaning
OF that word Is ordinarily interpreted,
but since II constitutes the principal
type OF work animal used throughout
the south. Il really is Of more impor-
lance economically than many classes
OF animals which are regarded as dis
tlnct breeds. In reality the mule Is
a hybrid. ordinarily having for a sire
a jackass. commonly called jack, and
. mare for dam When the method OF
breeding is reversed. that is, when the
stallion is bred 10 the female ass, the
resulting hybrid IS a hinny- The cross
lust mentioned produces an offspring de-
sired in an animal 10 be used for draft
purposes As all know who are familiar
with this class Of animals. the mule
Is sterile, that is, win not breed, though
sporadic cases are on record OF mare
mules dropping foals to a stallion.
The mule Is a very ancient animal,
50 far as the history Of the world Is
concerned, and has been used for cen
turtles throughout Europe, and was IN
use as a beast OF burden before the
DAYS OF Christ. In the ancient etvili-
ration OF Rome and Greece the mule
served various purposes. being referred
TO IN the writings Of agriculturtsts OF
that date. The mule is widely distribut-
ed. being found in practically every civ
liked country in larger or smaller num-
bers II has probably more nearly
reached ITS perfection in Spain, France
and Portugal and certain centers OF
the United States. particularly the south,
than, elsewhere in the world Though
Great Britain has produced the largest
numbers OF the so-called pure-bred
breeds OF live stock now maintained on
American farms. IL has never looked
with favor as a nation on the mule.
The raising OF mules has been practic-
ed in the United States, certainly as
Tar back as 17S7. when it was reported
that George Washington was presented
~ the king OF Spain with a jack which
was used in the stud at oMunt Vernon.
Henry Clay imported jack from Spain
in IS79. and no doubt his foresight In
this matter led to the foundation Of the
mule breeding industry for which the
state OF Kentucky is famous though
IN this particular not far In advance OF
ire neizhboring states Of Tennessee,
Missouri, and Texas. For some reason,
the breeding OF mules in the tier OF
states bordering the Atlantic and gulf
ssaboard has not made the progress
which Il should. It has been the opinion
OF the cotton planter for many years
that he could better afford 10 buy his
mules than to raise them This may
have heen true at an earlier date when
his control OF labor was more COM
pIete, and when cotton brought. relative
II speaking. a uniformly high price. but
OF recent years the fluctuation in the
cotton market and the excessive price
demanded for mules has changed the
economic situation materially, and il has
now become important for the farmers
In the cotton belt 10 undertake the pro-
drctson or a SUFFICIENT number Of mules
70 supply their plantations. With this
end in view some suggestions as 70 the
type and character OF mules best suited
TO the needs OF the south are presented
IN this paper.
The age OF shallow blowing and indif-
ferent soil preparation has passed In
times gone BY the planter favored so
20 1.00o-pound mule standing "A 10 10
hands high Lightness an hneness, OF
hone were sought with docility OF dispo-
sition. but rather nervous active tenn
perament. This type OF mule vas consid-
cred necessary in order to cover the
ground with sufficient rapidity, and its
conformation was believed TO adapt Il
better to the climatic conditions found
IN the cotton region. It has now been
shown that a heavier type OF mule is
necessary 10 pull the larger plows. cul-
tfvators and other implements which the
deep stirring Of the soil in modern farm
practice makes necessary. While there
Is much demand for the light mule still,
and viii be for some time 20 come.
for there Is a specific service which IL
can perform 10 better advantage than a
larger type. its day is past. and the ten
dency OF the future win be toward the
raising Of larger and heavier niles, both
In those sections where their2breeding has
become an established Industry. and on
the plantations where an attempt is
made TO rear the needed work stock
IN order to raise mules successfully
in the cotton states. It win be necessary
to bring in mares OF larger size and
OF better quality than those generally
found on our plantations at the present
time Dr@ft,nHlares OF the Percheron
type will answer The purpose we'll What
are known as chunks, OF no particular
breed. but which have stamina, shortness
OF coupling. and a weight OF 400 to
] 50 pounds. viii make good foundation
stock. II Is important in choosing
Jack that an animal Of unusual size, Wig
or and quality be secured. An understood
jack Is not desirable under any circum-
stances. and IL would be folly TO go TO
the expense OF securing good mares OF
the type and character suggested and
breed them to a jack lacking in quality
and vigor. 1t has been said by some that
A8NA1 use AAtIAf NAAAAAg NAAEM
into TIE cottcE region. They are not
more likely a. do this than the mares
The breeding and feeding Of live stock
Is a science and art IN itself and there
Is no reason why Jack or mare should
lose their virility in this climate. II is
simply a question Of discretion in han
ding them and In using the proper kind
Of food for their nourishment.
Climate and soil conditions favor the
development OF this industry in Georgia
and throughout the far south. Given
the proper foundation stock and an
abundance OF Bermuda grass for summer
grazing with supplementary foods which
may be had for winter grazing and for
supply roughness and concentrates,
mules can be raised as successfully in
this part OF the United States as else
where But II viii not do TO leave the
management Of the animals 70 the indlf-
ferent labOrer. The plantation owner viii
have to supervise this part Of his oper-
atoms with special care.
The best type OF mule should show
the general characteristics and con
formation and symmetry found in the
horse Their bodies are more cylin-
dIical and somewhat smaller than that
OF the horse. and while paunchiness is
Objectionable. a capacious body should
be sought In examining a mule for
Eoundness the same methods should
be followed as with the horse. While