184 THE BREEDS OF LIVE-STOCK 



hardships and fatigue, and size and height to supply 

 power. 



(3) The general-purpose mule. This animal is seen 

 wherever railroad construction is in progress ; he is often 

 observed on the farm ; he is found on the roads wherever 

 heavy hauling is being done, in the cities, towns and 

 along rivers. One of the requirements of this class is that 

 it be rugged, strong and capable of doing hard work. This 

 mule competes with the ordinary draft horse, and compared 

 with the average draft horse is superior for many kinds of 

 work. In height this class ranges from fifteen to sixteen 

 and one-half hands. The weight varies from 1000 to 1400 

 pounds. The Chicago market grades the general-purpose 

 mule a little heavier and a little higher than either the 

 Kansas City, the St. Louis or the St. Paul markets. 



(4) The mine mule. Mine mules are generally classed 

 as either pitters or surface mules. They grade into the 

 smallest of these four groups, standing ten and one-half 

 to fifteen hands high, are chunky and hardy, and possess 

 a heavier bone in proportion to size than those of the other 

 classes. The white mule is never used in the mines, for the 

 reason that it tends to frighten other animals ; hence, dark 

 bay, brown or black are the only colors desired for this pur- 

 pose. Those mules selected for the pits are of heavy bone 

 and of good weight, capable of long, steady pulls with rather 

 heavy loads. The surface class, while heavy, is some- 

 what taller than those in the pit, and maybe lighter in bone. 



217. Use of the mule. The mule is a draft animal, 

 found wherever drudgery is performed and strenuous 

 effort demanded. If the earth on which the feet must go 

 is broken, marshy and wet, there you will find the mule 

 in use; if climates are hot and sultry and harmful to 

 health ; if paths are precipitous and dangerous, requiring 



