262 PRINCIPLES OF RURAL ECONOMICS 



thus realizing the same economy as is realized in the use of oxen. 

 However, there is the unavoidable disadvantage that if the horse 

 becomes unsound, particularly in his feet or legs, his value is 

 gone, whereas the ox is still good for beef. Until horse flesh 

 comes into general use as an article of food, this will be a 

 permanent disadvantage to the user of horses. 



The mule. The economic differences between the horse and 

 the mule as a source of power are by no means so great as 

 those between the horse and ox. The horse is the larger ani- 

 mal, and will, on the average, by reason of this superior size 

 and weight, exert more strength on a short, sharp pull than the 

 mule. Pound per pound, however, the mule is quite as capable, 

 though it is doubtful if he is any more capable. Some extrava- 

 gant opinions are frequently expressed regarding the prodigious 

 strength of the mule, but these opinions are not based upon 

 practical tests. On the other hand, the mule appears to have 

 the more endurance. At steady work such as plowing, which 

 does not require short and sharp pulls, but continuous hard 

 work over long hours, the mule will probably do more work in 

 proportion to his weight. Again, it is probable that he will 

 thrive on slightly coarser food than the horse, though the dif- 

 ference in this respect is not so great as is popularly supposed. 

 Pound per pound, he requires quite as much nourishment as the 

 horse, though he may get along with a slightly larger proportion 

 of his nourishment in the form of hay and slightly less in the 

 form of grain. This, however, is not always economical. Cer- 

 tainly it is a mistake to assume that the mule does not respond 

 to good feeding as well as the horse. Again, the mule is less 

 nervous and excitable than the horse, and wastes less of his 

 energy in worry and excitement in trying situations and under 

 unkind and unskillful handling. Finally, the mule is better 

 fitted for very hot weather than the horse. The two qualities 

 last named give him a decided advantage on the cotton and 





