G12 Report on the Live Stock exhihited at Bedford. 



Nineteen were exhibited, two entiles being absent. Among this number the 

 thorough-bred hack and the under-bred cob stood side by side. 



Class 33. Hackney Mare or GeMiny, to carry not less tJian 14 stones. — In 

 this class, No. 372, " Enterprise,"' was a very easy winner, although there were 

 several good ones in the class. 



Class 34. Fovy Mare or Gelding, above 13 hands 2 inches, and not ex- 

 ceeding 14 hands 2 inches. — This class was a good one, and the Judges had 

 some difficulty in placing the three prize ponies. 



Class 35. Pony Mare or Gelding, not exceeding 13 Itands 2 inches. — This 

 class does not call lor any special rtmark. 



Classes 36 and 37. — The Judges have but to remark that there appears to 

 be a prejudice against the breeding of jackasses and mules in this country, 

 which will probably take some time to overcome. 



Jackasses and Mules. 



The number of entries in these two classes, the prizes for 

 which were liberally offered by Mr. Edward Pease, of Dar- 

 lington, was rather limited, although the quality of the few 

 animals exhibited was decidedly superior. Taking the jack- 

 asses first, three only presented themselves ; amongst them a 

 massive Poitou ass of 14 hands, the best of the three, so far 

 as getting mules for agricultural purposes is concerned. This 

 animal belonged to Mr. Pease, and was entered " not for com- 

 petition." Of the other two, one was a smart, 14-liand Spanish, 

 exhibited by Mr. C. L. Sutherland, of Coombe, Croydon, to 

 which the first prize was awarded, and the other a young, unde- 

 veloped Poitou, sent by Mr. Samuel Lang, of Bristol, which took 

 the second prize. 



Five Poitou mules, all regularly used by their owners for 

 agricultural purposes, were exhibited, varying in height from 

 15'2 to 16 hands. These mules are bred from French cart- 

 mares by Poitou asses, and their appearance certainly favoured 

 the Idea that they are capable of doing any amount of work. 

 The casual observer could not fail to be struck with their round 

 barrels, short legs, bone below the knee, and good, open feet ; 

 all of which are points peculiarly characteristic of the Poitou, 

 as distinguished from the Spanish, mule. It appears that Poitou 

 mules are in great request In almost every part of the world 

 except England, Avhere, from their scarcity, their value is little 

 known, and, consequently, not appreciated. The great strength 

 of the mule in proportion to his weight, his capability of 

 enduring fatigue, his freedom from disease, his longevity, his 

 capability of thriving on the coarsest food, and his docility, 

 where his nature is properly understood, are points worthy the 

 attention of agriculturists and others who require heavy-draught 

 animals at once efficient and economical. In the United States 

 mules are very extensively used in agriculture, as well as for 

 draught-purposes In towns. 



