FARM ANIMALS 85 



country. The statement was long ago made on 

 fairly good authority that hinnies are weak, lack 

 hardiness, and are far more stubborn and vicious 

 than mules. Recently, however, in Jamaica some 

 breeders have come to the opposite opinion, 

 finding that hinnies are better than mules for 

 nearly all purposes. They are more like the horse 

 than the jennet and show a more graceful head, 

 and heavier mane and tail, inheriting these prop- 

 erties from the horse. The slight use to which 

 hinnies have been put in this country makes it 

 impossible to predict just how important they 

 may become. If burro mares are crossed with 

 thoroughbred stallions they have been found to 

 produce a hinny of some speed, excellent temper, 

 and good style and action and since the burro is 

 nothing but a diminutive jack it is evident that not 

 all hinnies are too cross and vicious to be managed. 

 If trouble is experienced in breeding mules or if 

 it is desired to breed a considerable number of 

 mares at the same time, artificial impregnation 

 may be adopted in the same manner as is practiced 

 with horses. When this method is used no especial 

 breeding chute or other device for confining 

 need be arranged. 



The main question before the farmer in under- 

 taking a line of industry with which he is unfamiliar 

 is with reference to the duration of the market and 

 the prices of the product. In this respect it is 

 impossible to see any serious difficulty in the im- 

 mediate future of mule raising. As already in- 

 dicated, they are being used more and more for 

 almost all work ordinarily performed by horses, 

 and mule-breeding establishments are springing 

 up in the north and northwestern states for sup- 

 plying the local and general market. Although 



