Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1917-06-16
RAISING MULES ON
LOUISIANA farms
Production Of Work Stack Equally I'm,
portant as That Of Home Supplies
Cotton Farmers Spend One Bale
in Seven For Mules.

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tural workers that the farmers make
their living at homo as far as posi-
Bile, regardless OF the high price OF
cotton, sugar or rice. If IL is import
ant that the farmer produce his own
vegetables. poultry. milk and meat, it
IS equally important that he produce
his own work stock. It is estimated
that Louisiana farmers are spending
one bale of cotton out of every seven
for farm mules. Sugar mules are OF
he highest class on the market, and
are more expensive than those used
on the cotton plantations.
It is evident that there is an in
creased interest in Louisiana in rails.
.ng mules for the farm. At almost
very parish or district fair this fall
here were shown one or more good
brood mares with mule colts. The
mares are a part of the farm work
took, and do their part toward the
cultivation Of the land with such IA
'Ors shown them as are necessary for
he successful handling of mares
used for breeding purposes. On the
lverage, these mares when purchased
'Ost less than good mules, and while
hey probably DO a little less work
'uring the year, they are generally
Onceded to be well worth the price
)aid for them as work stock. What
yer they do toward the production OF
Mules for future use on the farm may
1e regarded as clear profit. Another
Interesting fact is that a large percen-
age OF these mares were bred by
heir owners or on nearby farms from
lative mares and sired by good stall
ions.
At a number Of the fairs the ser
ice stations used on the farms by IN
'ividUals or for community breeding
-ere shown with their progeny and
heir dams Most Of hem were reg
stored or high grade Percheron
1orses, with an occasional Belgian,
Shire or Standred bred.
A study Of the animals exhibited
md those 10 be seen on the farms
y the state indicates that the farm
rs are rapidly coming to the conclu-
ion that the home production Of
1ules is both practical and profitable
lear that they have reached the con-
fusion that the understood, small ma
i've mare is Improbable as pro-
ucer of farm mules. and that she can
)e best used for breeding a larger
'orse stock by means OF improved
raft stations, and the best FLIES or
his progeny selected for mule breed
Gg. There is nothing new in this
lea, as il follows the common course
dopted in all other states where the
aising Of mules has been made a sue
'ess.
The movement has now received
efficient impetus to warrant the for
nation in many communities Of CO.
perative breeding associations, where
ach farmer will keep one or more
rood mares and the association will
Maintain at least one good draft stall
on and a high-class Jack. Both are
ssential to the greatest success be-
euse the average Louisiana farmer
,~efers mules for all his regular farm
vork and is not inclined to breed
,orses to any greater extent than is
,ecessary to give him a supply Of
cares Of suitable size and conforma-
'on to produce the mules he requires.
he average Louisiana mare carries
ore or less improved blood, derived
rom thoroughbred horses or other
ght harness and saddle stock, and
heir colts, even when sired by heavy
raft stations, show a tendency to
ave fine bones, clean limbs and good
'ction. These qualities are trans.
nitted to their mule colts, which are
,ore active and speedy than mules
ON draft bred dams, and while they
re lighter in weight, they are general
preferred by all of the farmers OF
his state except the cane planters,
vho usually show preference for
cry heavy mules.
The present price Of cotton, sugar
nd rice enables the farmer to pay
ut more money for work stock than
could in former years with low
ices, but on account Of the high
ice of all live stock he really gets
more for given portion OF his
ha
a wisdom for all who have to pur.
hase work stock to include a few
ood brood mares in each purchase,
II them in the hands of careful driv-
IS on the farm, breed them to good
,cks at the first opportunity and raise
he mule colts to replace the older
lules as they are worn out and dis
arded. Mules, like all other farm
took, can be maintained the greater
art of the year on pasture, and, as
lmost every farm has more or less
-aste land where an abundance Of
eed remains unused each year or on
'hich a good sod could be establish
d. the cost OF raising a few colts
hould be much less than their pur-
base price. But even should they
ost as much as 10 buy them, It Is
lore economical and safer as a bust
,ess proposition to use the existing
ssources OF the farm TO produce them
nan to face the certainty of having 70
urchase the mules required for cash
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