338 THE ESSENTIALS OF AGRICULTURE 



440. Mules. The mule is a hybrid, having a mare for its 

 dam and a donkey for its sire. It differs from the horse in that 

 it shows many of the characteristics of its paternal ancestors, 

 having longer ears, a Roman nose, small feet, and clean limbs, 

 with only a coarse, scanty growth of hair on the tail and mane 

 (Fig. 171). The mule is smaller than the draft horse, being 



FIG. 170. Champion Clydesdale stallion, International Live Stock 

 Exposition, 1913 



from 14 to 17 hands in height and weighing from 800 to 1500 

 pounds. It is hardy and possesses the faculty of being able to 

 take care of itself. On this account the mule is a very satisfac- 

 tory animal to place in the hands of the less intelligent farm 

 laborers. In color it is bay, brown, gray, or dun. The color most 

 desired is black, with a tan nose and flank. Texas, Missouri, 

 Kentucky, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Arkan- 

 sas, and Kansas are the principal producers and users of mules. 

 The mule is the principal work animal in the cotton states. 



