186 THE BREEDS OF LIVE-STOCK 



with great power and bone, and stand sixteen to seventeen 

 hands high." 



Kentucky and Tennessee have been noted from early 

 days as mule-breeding centers. Many noted jacks have 

 gone to these states, both native and those representing 

 the best of the Andalusian, Catalonian, Majorcan and 

 the Maltese types. During recent years, it has been 

 learned that while soil and climate may influence quality 

 in the individual, care in the selection of feeds and in the 

 breeding types is also a requisite of successful mule 

 production. Consequently, Texas, Georgia, Missouri, 

 Kansas and Oklahoma, as well as many other states, are 

 vying with Kentucky and Tennessee in producing mules 

 of high quality that find favor in all parts of the world. 



220. Mule production. Up to the time of the Civil 

 War, but two breeds of jacks were used, the Maltese 

 and the Spanish. The Andalusian and Catalonian from 

 the mainland, and the Majorcan, from the island of 

 Majorca, were formerly known as Spanish. So great has 

 been the demand for jacks of Malta that practically all have 

 been exported, and now but few are left on the island. 



The jacks of Italy have not been successful as mule- 

 producers in this country, and consequently have entered 

 but slightly into the mule stock here. At the present time, 

 there are three noted breeds of jacks : the native, the Poitou 

 and the Catalonian. In regard to favor and importance, 

 perhaps, these breeds should be ranked as mentioned here. 

 Many of our noted mule-breeders prefer native jacks to 

 those of foreign breeds. The native jack produces a high 

 finish, a good form, strong legs, broad hocks, and is already 

 peculiarly adapted to our environments. Besides these 

 qualities, he extends to his progeny immunity to diseases 

 to an unusual degree, and an exceptionally long life. 



