ASSES AND MULES. 



207 



jacks, are required. These are at once agile and sure-footed. For work 

 on Southern planttitions medium-sized mules are most sought. These are 

 bred from mares of ordinary size, by good-sized jacks. In breeding 

 mules for the road and for heavy teaming, large, roomy mares are used. 

 These are served with the largest jacks, and at three years old command, 

 when well matched, from $300 to $600 a span. The treatment of the 

 mares and of the mule colts should be precisely like that described in the 

 preceding chapter. The colts should be handled young, gently treated and 

 made completely subordinate to the will of the master. At two years old 



ZEBRULA MARES. 



they may be broken. They should be carefully harnessed, without fright- 

 ening them, and hitched to a strong wagon, when they will generally 

 move off without much difficulty. Thereafter they may do light work 

 until they are four years old, when they may be put to full labor. Then- 

 dentition is similar to that of the horsee, and the rule for telling their 

 ages is identical with the advice for that animal. 



