826 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



THE ASS. 



THE ass is a native of Central Asia and Africa and belongs to the genus Asinus and 

 family Equidse. It is of smaller size than the horse, and is characterized by long 

 ears, the absence of warts on the hind legs, and a tuft of long hair at the extremity 

 of the tail. Its color is generally gray, marked with a dorsal streak of a darker hue, and a 

 similar one across the shoulders. There are also white and black varieties, though less com 

 mon than the former. This animal was probably domesticated by man before the domesti 

 cation of the horse, and has proved a most valuable servant, possessing, as it does, great 

 strength, endurance, patience, and docility. The first mention of the ass in the Scriptures is 

 in the account of the going of Abraham into Egypt, at the time of the great famine in 

 Palestine. 



A wild variety of the ass is now found in Abyssinia, and some other localities, and 

 although differing somewhat from the domestic variety, it resembles it in many respects. It 

 has cross-bands on its legs, a mark occasionally seen in the domestic breeds. There seems to 

 be a natural aversion in this animal to cross the smallest stream of water, a trait which is also 

 seen in the camel, while it delights to roll itself in the dust and sand, which fact would 

 argue in favor of the desert regions as its original home. The wild ass is a spirited animal 

 of great speed, and is one of the principal objects of chase in Persia, where its flesh is highly 

 esteemed as food. In Oriental countries they are employed as beasts of burden, and the 

 practice of riding them in traveling is very common. Careful selection and more humane 

 treatment than this animal usually receives, shows that it is capable of great improvement, 

 and possesses qualities that have never been fully appreciated. In Southern Europe, especially 

 in Spain, Italy, and Malta, it has been carefully bred and greatly improved. 



Varieties, etc. The different breeds of the ass are supposed to be quite as numerous 

 as those of the horse. The Maltese and Spanish breeds are considered by American breeders 

 the best variety from which to propagate. The small size of the ass in cold countries is due 

 fully as much to neglect, as to the severity of the climate. It is said that in the north of 

 India, where it is used among the lowest castes, it does not attain a height greater than that 

 of the Newfoundland dog. In Persia there are two breeds, one large, heavy, and slow, used 

 principally for burden, and another, considerably smaller and more active, used for the 

 saddle. In Spain there is still a greater difference seen. The Arabs and Persians breed 

 them as carefully as we do our best horses, and are perfectly familiar with their pedigree. 

 Darwin states that in Syria there are four distinct breeds: &quot;A light and graceful animal 

 with agreeable gait, used by ladies, an Arab breed, reserved exclusively for the saddle, a 

 stouter animal, used for plowing and various purposes, and the large Damascus breed, with 

 peculiarly long body and ears.&quot; 



The ass is but little used in the United States except for breeding purposes in producing 

 mules. They are bred to a certain extent throughout the Western and Southern States, but 

 principally in Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri. In Kentucky, 

 where mules are in great demand, and where they are raised with much care from 

 imported animals of an average height of fourteen hands, they have been raised to fifteen 

 and even sixteen hands in height. Jennets, or female asses, are used principally in this 

 country for breeding jacks, and are not numerous. A superior Maltese jack was presented 

 to General &quot;Washington, in 1787, by La Fayette, and is believed by some to have been the first 

 of this breed ever sent to this country. The description given of him by Mr. Custis is that 

 of a moderate-sized animal, clean limbed, very active and spirited, and possessing the ferocity 

 of a tiger; color dark brown and nearly black, white belly and muzzle, and manageable with 

 safety only by one grown. This animal lived to a great age, and his progeny was highly prized. 



