162 



A STUDY OF FARM ANIMALS 



fineness of bone and more activity than the ass, and are 

 used mostly for draft purposes. Large, strong, heavy mules 

 are worth more money than small ones. The best mules 

 resemble the high-class draft horse in form. In the mule 

 markets, these animals are classed according to their size 

 and use, as plantation, lumber, railroad, mine, and levee 

 mules. Plantation mules are especially suited to draft and 

 farm work. There are two subclasses of plantation mules, 

 Sugar and Cotton. Sugar mules stand from 16 to 16J/2 

 hands high, weigh from 1,100 to 1,400 pounds, and are 



Figure 43. Donkey and a load of peat at Kildare, Ireland. Photograph by 

 the author. 



breecly looking and show quality and excellent bone. Cot- 

 ton mules stand from 13J/2 to 15^ hands, weigh 900 to 

 1,100 pounds, and are not of so high quality as Sugar mules. 

 St. Louis is the largest mule market in America. The 

 average price for mules is higher than that for horses. 

 Mules are invaluable for draft purposes, and are commonly 

 used all over the southern states. They are more easily 

 kept than horses, and possess more endurance and are 

 always patient. 



