606 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



The demand for first-class mules at highly remunerative prices is 

 steadily on the increase, for steady, heavy work in the cities and on the 

 farms and plantations. Heavy pairs of strong, willing and well-broken 

 mules are eagerly sought for by merchants and teamsters in the big 

 cities, and the prices range from $350 to even as high as $800 or more 

 per pair. Mules of this character are more reliable than the average 

 heavy horse; they do not tire out as quickly, are less liable to disease, 

 and they stand the hard pavements much better. Their lasting quali- 

 ties, under the severe strain of heavy city work, are fully double that 

 of a horse. While they can subsist on coarser food than their cousin, the 

 horse, I have always found it to pay big dividends to give plenty of food 

 even to the mule, and when generously treated regularly with food, you 

 can always call on the mule for long hours and continued hard work. 



While mules are hardier from birth all through life, it is a mistaken 

 idea to give them short rations and poor food and care when in colt- 

 hood, for such methods will produce undersized animals which are less 

 salable and bring much smaller prices than do those which have been 

 kept growing vigorously from the start. Grain food must not, however, 

 be fed too lavishly to any immature animal, else it will weaken instead 

 of strengthen the constitution, either extreme being prejudicial to health. 

 After maturity the cost of keep of the mule is almost one-half that of the 

 horse. 



Never breed mules from tricky, ill-tempered or vicious mares, or from 

 diseased animals, though too often farmers consider mares that are not 

 fit for anything else as good enough to get mule colts from. Good, well- 

 dispositioned and sound work mares of medium size and roomy build only 

 should be used, and the service of a large matured jack. Like breeding 

 live stock of any other kind, proper selection, both on the side of the 

 sire and dam, is the first requisite, if you expect them to produce desir- 

 able offspring that will not only be eminently useful, but will quickly 

 demand the highest market prices, and to this must be added proper 

 care and shelter, seconded by suitable food in such quantities and at 

 such times as will be most conducive to healthy growth and develop- 

 ment. The mule colts must be castrated early, when about four to six 

 months old, and if well cared for can be worked when two to two and 

 one-half years old, though it is well not to push them until they are 

 three years old, so they will attain their full development. 



For careful farm work, good mules are far ahead of the average horse, 

 as they are more careful when working among the growing crops and 

 seldom if ever break down or trample upon the plants. While they 

 can and will stand much ill-treatment and neglect, they respond to kind 

 treatment and man is very foolish to treat them otherwise. On the 

 southern plantations they stand the hard work and hot climate better 

 than does the horse, while for teaming in the far west, on the plains or 

 on the rugged mountain paths they do work that scarcely any other 

 animal can or would, being enduring and sure-footed to a wonderful 

 degree. The Government uses hundreds of these animals in transporta- 

 tion, in artillery and teaming, and it will be many generations yet be- 

 fore we will find machinery displacing them entirely, if ever. 



