338 now TO make the farm pay. 



uniinuls sliow an advantage in favor of the use of the mule, over 

 the horse, of over one thousand dollars, during the ordinary life 

 of the animal. There are still other advantages, the mulj 

 seldom runs away, breaking wagons, harnesses, etc., and when 

 one does run he is not likely to run again. lie is healthier, 

 and less dainty about food, unground grain and dry feed being 

 just the thing for him." 



The so-called vices of the mule, are jumping, kicking, and 

 obstinacy; "as obstinate as a mule" has become a proverb, and 

 like many other proverbs conveys only half a truth. These 

 faults are all in training. The mule will not jump if when a 

 colt he is kept where he can not get over the fences. Most 

 people will let down one or two of the top bars and let the mule 

 colt jump over the lower ones. He then learns to jump. It 

 would be much better to leave the top bar and make him go 

 under. Kicking comes a little more naturally to the mule than 

 the horse, but the habit can be broken up in colthood, and they 

 will not kick thereafter. We have the word of Mr. Riley, 

 superintendent of government mules, who has had over five 

 thousand under his care at one time, that by kind treatment 

 to the colt he is readily broken of this vice.. The mule colt 

 should be handled and gentled, just as directed for the horse 

 colt, and taught not to fear, the presence and handling of 

 man. It is fear that makes him kick. Most trainers, fully 

 believing in the natural " devilishness" of the mule, leave 

 tbem alone just as long as they can and then go at them 

 with club and lash, harsh words and harsher actions, and 

 soon break the mule into an inveterate kicker. As to obsti- 

 nacy ; train a mule colt as we have directed for training colts, 

 and we venture that there will be no more obstinate mules 

 than there are baulky horses. The good points of a mule, are 

 short stout limbs, rather than long slim ones; a compact body, 



