LIVE STOCK. 89 



luirdv and capable of much work. The Arabs generally use horses to 

 draw their plows. 



The eastern part of the high plateau region is the center of horse 

 breedinp- in Algeria. The Arabs of the Sahara obtain almost all their 

 horses from that district. The industry of raising horses is, however, 

 on the decline, the prices brought by good animals having fallen 100 

 ' per cent or more in the past ten or fifteen years. A mare of good 

 pedigree and known for the excellence of her progeny can now be 

 bought for about $150. The increasing popularity of the mule as a 

 work animal, both among natives and Europeans, is partly responsible 

 for this state of affairs. 



DONKEYS. 



There are some 275,000 donkeys in Algeria, almost all of which 

 are the property of natives. In the coast region they have largely 

 I'eplaced the camel as a beast of burden, although the latter still 

 retains its usefulness in the high plateau and desert regions. Wher- 

 ever the use of wagons for transportation is precluded by the lack of 

 good roads the donkey is employed. 



MULES. 



Of the 150,000 mules that existed in Algeria in 1900, less than one- 

 tifth belonged to Europeans. The high plateau region, around Setif 

 and Constantine, produces the best nudes of the colony. ]\lules are 

 used by European farmers to draw their wagons and plows, and by 

 the natives for riding and for carrying loads. A hardier and more 

 robust animal is obtained if the donkey parent is of Algerian rather 

 than of European origin. 



CAMELS. 



It is the one-humped Arabian camel, or dromedary, that is conunon 

 in Algeria. The INIehari race of the dromedary is especially adapted 

 to travel in the Sahara, making, without difficulty, marches of 70 

 miles a day for several successive days. Camels are, of course, well 

 known for their endurance, getting along for considerable periods 

 without food or water. They^ can carry for long distances loads 

 weighing 300 pounds and more. Camels are raised and are used only 

 b}^ the Arabs. A good animal will sometimes bring $60.' In agricul- 

 tural work the camel is of practically no importance, except as a means 

 of transportation. 



SHEEP. 



In is estimated that in ordinary years the flocks of the colony repre- 

 sent a total value of $28,500,000, which is almost wholly the property 

 of natives. 



