TYPES AND MARKET CLASSES OF LIVE STOCK 477 



plain looking and thin in flesh, though possessing good con- 

 stitution, bone and feet, and showing indications of a good out- 

 come when well fed and cared for. Many of them are worked 

 for a time, then fattened and returned to the market. When 

 resold, they may be taken as miners, sugar mules, or cotton 

 mules. The strongest demand for farm mules occurs during 

 the late winter and spring months. 



Draft mules. Draft mules are large, heavy-boned, heavy- 

 set mules, with plenty of quality. They are purchased to do 

 heavy teaming work. Many are used by contractors doing 

 railroad grading, and consequently they are often spoken of as 



Fig. 162. Farm or Wheel Mule. 



railroad mules. They are especially demanded for heavy team- 

 ing work in cities in warm climates, where they are preferred 

 to horses because they are said to be hardier, able to stand the 

 hot sun better, and not subject to as many ills. Draft mules 

 stand from 16 to 17-2 hands high, and weigh from 1200 to 1600 

 pounds and upwards. They should combine weight and strength. 

 They should be large, rugged, heavily boned, and strongly 

 muscled. The feet should be large, the back short and strong, 

 the middle deep and closely coupled, the croup fairly level, and 

 the thighs and quarters massive. They are most desired from 

 5 to 8 years old, and little preference is shown regarding sex. 

 The demand is strong and quite constant the year round. 



