188 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



feet high. The stalks may be thrown into these troughs as they come from 

 the field ; or the fodder may be cut up, and may be continued as long as the 

 stalks ai-e soft. After this, if stabled, they should be fed with corn from the 

 shock, with the addition of mill feed each day. Beside this, Hungarian grass 

 and wheat straw should at all times be kept within their reach for the sake 

 of providing a variety of food, for the greatest success depends upon keeping 

 up a good appetite by constant regular feeding. 



During the second summer, if soiling be practicable, a large amount of food 

 may be saved by adopting this plan, for at this age, mules are very restless and 

 uneasy, and are constantly roving about, and thus destroy more food than they 

 consume. 



By giving them a regular feed in a good lot which is oufficiently large for 

 exercise, they will make a better growth and are less liable to the injuries to 

 which they are incident when iiinning in the pastures. Grain or mUl feed 

 should be provided, at least through that part of the summer when flies are 

 troublesome, if not, indeed, throughout the season ; otherwise, they will not con- 

 sume enough food to keep them in good condition. 



The second winter the same treatment is required as in the first, but as they 

 are older, corn alone will answer for their food, because it is desirable to push 

 them forward for an early market when they have become two years old. 



During this period it is necessary to watch their feet carefully, because while 

 we are pushing the animal to an early maturity the lower part of the hoof is 

 often disfigured, because its growth is in excess of the weai", and will rec[uire 

 to be pared off. 



BREAKING. 



In breaking colts for farm use, it is best to begin when they are coming two 

 years old, and by using them at light work during the third year they -will have 

 a quicker step than if they were allowed to attain their full maturity and then 

 set at once to heavy work. 



The first lesson for the mule-trainer, before attempting the management of 

 these animals, is to learn to govern himself; and the sooner the barbarous cus- 

 tom of choking a mule almost to suffocation is abolished, the better. By this 

 treatment the animal suffers a shock, both mental and physical, that in many 

 cases injures the constitution of the animal without conducing to its proper 

 training. 



The mule should be led or driven into a confined stall or stocks, from which 

 he cannot by any possibility escape ; in a very short time he will cease strug- 

 gling ; gentle handling with quiet soothing words will soon give him confidence 

 when the gears or harness may be put upon him. The company of his mate, 

 if he have one, or the presence of another animal, with which he is to be 

 worked, aids in alleviating his fears. Avoid the possibility of his breaking away 

 when released, for success depends upon the result of this first effort and the 

 impression made upon him. After being hitched to the wagon the trainer 

 should endeavor to repress too great eagerness in the animal, lest, by being 

 overtasked, he become discouraged. By kind treatment mules may be rendered 

 the most docile and affectionate creatures among our domestic animals, and will 

 often show more intelligence than the horse. 



STATISTICS. 



"Whether it arise from a greatly increased demand for these beasts in our 

 country, which is now swollen by the enlarged wants of the army and its im- 

 mense transportation, or whether it has come from a higher appreciation of the 

 mule, it is certain that the number produced at the present time is vastly 

 greater than at any former period of our history. Some shrewd agricul- 

 turists may have made the discovery that it costs less to breed and raise a 



