182 THE BREEDS OF LIVE-STOCK 



and stronger bone, requisites that go to make the animal 

 valuable for draft purposes (Fig. 30). From this de- 

 scription it follows that the hinny is smaller in size, some- 

 what unsightly in form, lacking in finish and adapted to 

 environments that call for lighter work and effort. Still, 

 the hinny is able to endure drudgery and hardship equal 

 to and often greater than the mule can stand. 



215. Form. The mule that most nearly approaches the 

 ideal type follows the horse closely in all points of fprm. 

 The body, however, is commonly more cylindrical and some- 

 what smaller than the body of the horse, a factor not alto- 

 gether in favor of the mule. A large body, therefore, is 

 more desirable than a small body ; but largeness of body 

 must not be confused with paunchiness, for this is always 

 objectionable. Producers of mules are realizing that a 

 critical trade is demanding animals of a superior conforma- 

 tion in the region of the body, much more so than this 

 same trade demanded a few years ago. 



Mules of ideal conformation possess straight hard 

 legs, showing superiority with every movement. The 

 bone should be smooth and dense, but ample; the 

 tendons prominent; and the muscles well developed. 

 While the feet of the mule are narrower and longer than 

 those of the horse, a large foot is always to be desired. 



216. Market class of mules. Mules are generally 

 grouped into four general classes on the larger markets. 



(1) Sugar and . cotton mules. While these are raised 

 in the West, a great majority of them find their way 

 into the southern states, where they are used on cotton- 

 farms or sugar-farms. It is a good class of mules that 

 goes into this section. They are large, heavy and of 

 splendid type. On the Kansas City market the cotton 

 and sugar mules stand fifteen to sixteen hands, while the 



