78 FARM ANIMALS 



given to the fixing of a black color in the native 

 jacks so that at present this color prevails. The 

 native jack is healthy, has larger legs and feet than 

 the imported jacks and on this account transmits 

 the most desirable qualities to his mule colts. 



In breeding for mules it is necessary to select not 

 only a good jack, but also a good mare. Most 

 breeders, however, consider that the best jacks 

 should be used in the production of jacks and not 

 in mule raising. Two classes of jacks are thus 

 established and are frequently referred to under 

 the names Jennet jacks and Mule jacks, according 

 as they are employed in the production of jack or 

 mule colts. The mare used for raising mule 

 colts, or, as she is commonly referred to, the mule 

 mare, should be of good form, without defects and 

 of a black, brown or bay color so as to give the 

 desirable dark color to the colt. Ordinarily the 

 mule inherits the form of its ears, head, tail and 

 legs from the jack and the size and formation of 

 the body from the mare. Since this statement is 

 based on the extensive observations of mule 

 breeders, it is obvious that the desired results can 

 only be obtained in mule raising by giving proper 

 attention to the form and size of the jack and mare. 



The mule can be used for almost all kinds of 

 work ordinarily performed by horses and further- 

 more possesses certain decided advantages over 

 the horse. In mines mules far excel horses in the 

 amount of work they can do and the hardship they 

 can endure. Moreover, as pack animals the 

 mule is universally recognized as superior to the 

 horse. In our military organization the army 

 mule has long been famous and those who have 

 had extensive experience with mules, as for 

 example Riley and others, are unanimous in the 



