832 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



morning and the other in the evening, and not over forty the first year, nor more than sixty 

 any year. It more are bred, permanent injury to the jack is likely to result. In litigated 

 cases which have come under my notice, the testimony has generally shown that more jacks 

 have been injured by breeding to too many mares at three years old, than at any other age. 



Caution should be used during the season to have the jack securely haltered through the 

 day, for some few will watch for an opportunity, when the groom is off his guard, and bite 

 seriously. I once had a jack, seemingly docile, seize his groom by the back, and bite him 

 severely. Jacks, generally, are docile; but until you find out the disposition of your jack, 

 you had better, during the breeding season, give him no chance to do mischief. The appli 

 cation of a good hickory will soon cure his viciousness. 



A jennet will carry her foal 12 months, and a jack foal often 13 months; and the owner 

 should be present, if possible, when she foals, for the young of this kind of stock are more 

 liable to be smothered than mule or horse colts. 



It should be borne in mind that a young, healthy jack will get his best colts the first sea 

 son; and if you are using your jack yourself, never permit him to be over-bred. 



If your jack is 15 to 15^ hands, and has that height by inheritance, through his ances 

 try, you can, by breeding him to mares of good size, confidently rely upon having good- 

 sized mules. 



The well-bred mule, if properly treated after being weaned, will grow the first year six, 

 and the second year three inches; and if well kept in this way for two years, will have 

 attained its height. Of course, if poorly fed and cared for during the first and second years, 

 they will not mature until three years old; but the stunting business costs the owner one 

 year s additional interest, feed, attention, and care, which never .pays.&quot; 



Mules bred in Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, and Kentucky, are generally known to be 

 superior to those of most of the other sections of the country, owing, probably to the fact of 

 the improved jack s being used there more extensively with blooded mares. 



Breaking and General Management of Mules. The general rules to be observed 

 in breaking colts, and horse management, are equally applicable to mules; hence, do not 

 require repetition in this connection. 



Mules are too often neglected and abused, and from such treatment are frequently made 

 vicious and stubborn from mere self-defense. They are frequently termed stupid and obsti 

 nate, but in nine cases out of ten where they are found such, it is due more to the ignorance, 

 stupidity, and brutality of those that reared, broke, or have driven them, than that of the 

 animal. Mules are naturally affectionate and patient, and should be kindly treated. When 

 thus treated, they are very docile, and yield readily. 



Their ears, like those of the horse, are peculiarly sensitive, and tender; hence when 

 handling them, it should be done very carefully, and in such a manner that they will know 

 that they are not to be annoyed, or harmed in any way. This will help much in overcoming 

 their naturally tirnid dispositions, and when they find that they are not to be abused, they 

 will be kind and submissive. 



The mule s ears are so extremely sensitive, that a scratch or the slightest injury to them 

 will make them afraid, and have a tendency to arouse stubbornness ; and it will be with the 

 greatest difficulty in such cases, that they will for a long time afterward submit quietly to be 

 haltered. Mr. Morris, of Pennsylvania, previously referred to, says respecting mule-break 

 ing: &quot; There is a great prejudice existing against mules in some parts of the United States, 

 but this is most generally the case where they are least used, and, consequently, but little is 

 known of their good qualities, and they are accused of being vicious, stubborn, and ready to 

 kick at anything coming within reaching distance. How common the remark, As stubborn 

 as a mule. 



