MULES AND JACKS 187 



221. The Poitou jack. The Poitou jack is a French 

 breed of Spanish origin, and is ranked by some breeders 

 as first among jack breeds. He is liked especially for 

 agricultural use, because of the excellence of his limbs and 

 feet. The legs are short and straight with plenty of bone, 

 while the pasterns are short, as required of a draft animal. 

 The legs are flat and hard, whilst the feet are large and 

 more expanded than those of any other breed of jacks. 

 In this respect, the Catalonian jack is not equal to the 

 French breed, although the Catalonian is finer in limbs 

 than the Poitou. 



With the Poitou jack, both the head and ears are enor- 

 mous; in fact, French breeders are inclined to regard 

 these as of very great importance, more desirable 

 than the smaller kind. The neck is strong. Withers 

 are not well marked, but this is true of all jack races. 

 The broad chest and enormous legs of the Poitou jack 

 promise much in mule-breeding. 



The Poitou jack varies from thirteen and one-half to 

 fifteen hands, which is about the height of native, Cata- 

 lonian and other Spanish breeds. The height of a jack 

 is not nearly so important as the character of the head, 

 ears, legs, feet and barrel. If height can be secured from 

 the dam, it is better to sacrifice height in the jack, in order 

 to get other and more desirable qualities. The breed is 

 of less importance than individual qualities. 



Prices for individuals of the Poitou breed are a little 

 higher, perhaps, than for either the Catalonian or native, 

 but it is possible to get a good Poitou jack for $1000 to 

 $1500, although some have sold at $2500 to $3500 each. 



222. Importance of mules. The raising of mules is 

 demanding more attention from year to year. Some of 

 the reasons for their increasing popularity may be briefly 



