ASSES AND MULES. 



205 



proceed north they become less and less serviceable, and few are found in 

 use north of 45 degrees. 



VII. Mules are not Vicious. 

 It is generalhr supposed that the mule is naturally vicious. This is a 

 mistake. He is resentful and never forgets an injury ; and if subjected 

 to a long course of ill usage he at length becomes vicious. On the other 

 hand, no animal is more susceptil)lcto kindness, or will exert himself more 

 strenuously for a kind master. Nevertheless, the mule must have a mas- 

 ter, one firm and 3'ct kind. The mule, as some of our readers probably 

 know, has a most perfect means of offense and defense, namely, his heels. 



A CHOICE MULE AND TYrH'AT, CLASS. 



The market requirements of mules are approximatei\' the same as those of 

 the horse. They must be sound, of a marketable age, be in good flesh, have a 

 sleek coat of hair, possess quality and conformation indicative of strength and 

 endurance and be of desirable color. They should also have straight line action 

 and be of a class for which there is an active demand. Serviceably sound is 

 practically all that is looked for, but any unsightly blemish is objectionable, 

 though not in the same degree as with the horse. Mules are rarely used for 

 pleasure purposes, but almost entirely as beasts of burden. Because of this 

 fact slight blemishes that do not interfere with their usefulness receive less 

 consideration than in the horse. 



VIII. Tbe Breeding of Mules. 

 In the lireeding of mules, as of all other animal.'^, attention must be 

 paid to the use for which they are intended. If for packing in the moun- 

 tains, small, compact mules, such as are bred from small, fine Spanish 



