THE BREEDING OF MULES 189 



it is said, until he is twenty or twenty-five years of 

 age. He is very bony and stout made, of a dark 

 colour with light belly and legs. The advantages, 

 which are many, to be derived from the propaga- 

 tion of asses from this animal (the first of the 

 kind that was ever in North America), and the 

 usefulness of mules bred from a Jack of his size, 

 either for the road or team, are well known to 

 those who are acquainted with this mongrel 

 race. For the information of those who are not, it 

 may be enough to add, that their great strength, 

 longevity, hardiness, and cheap support, give 

 them a preference of horses that is scarcely to be 

 imagined. As the Jack is young, and the General 

 has many mares of his own to put to him, a limited 

 number only will be received from others, and 

 these entered in the order they are offered. Let- 

 ters directed to the subscriber, by Post or other- 

 wise, under cover to the General, will be entered 

 on the day they are received, till the number is 

 completed, of which the writers shall be informed 

 to prevent trouble or expense to them. 



"JOHN FAIRFAX, Overseer, 

 "February^, 1786." 



Washington believed in mules and in the in- 

 ventory of live stock in his will made in 1799, 



