THE MULE. 273 



If the grain ration is of inferior quality, an extra allowance of i^ lbs. 

 to first class, and i lb. to second class mules is allowed. 



With bigger mules than those employed in India, the rations are 

 correspondingly larger. 



In the "pack trains " employed bv the American army to accompany 

 their cavalry, the mules, which may range from 13^ to 16 hands, but 

 are preferred at about 14, are allowed 9 lbs. of oats, corn (maize), bran or 

 barley, and 14 lbs. of hay. They are fed twice daily, the grain being 

 placed on sacks or canvas covers. The morning feed is light, and the 

 balance of grain and all the hay given at the evening feed. These mules 

 are required to keep touch with cavalry as regards marching powers. 



In the Abyssinian campaign, where the mules are said to have 

 averaged 14 hands, the ration was at first 5 lbs. grain and 12 lbs. hay ; 

 but this was subsequently increased to 8 lbs. of beans and 1 5 lbs. of hay. 



In the Zulu war North American mules, averaging 15 "2, and used 

 for draught, were given 8 lbs. maize, 12 lbs. oat-hay, i oz. salt, and as 

 much grazing as possible. Cape and South American mules, I3'2, 

 received 5 lbs. maize, 5 lbs. oat-hay, and ^ oz. salt. 



The Chinese, who are very careful in feeding their ponies and mules, 

 give 10 lbs. to 12 lbs. grain (Kaoliang, a millet) daily to a big mule of 

 15 hands or over. 



Wateri?ig. — In the matter of water, mules are somewhat dainty, and Watering, 

 if the supply is not to their taste will, unless extremely thirsty, decline to 

 drink. Like horses, they are somewhat creatures of habit in this respect, 

 and although refusing to drink from a stream, may take the same water 

 freely from the bucket or other vessel they are used to. When very 

 thirsty, they may drink as much as a horse or pony of similar size, but 

 under ordinary circumstances they are not greedy drinkers, and generally 

 endure thirst well. 



Marching with mules. — On the march mules can be led or driven Marching 

 The latter is a very usual method, and when so trained, they may be with 

 trusted to carry bulky loads on narrow roads and steep hills with perfect "^"les. 

 safety. The "pack train " males of the American army are accustomed 

 to follow a " bell " mare, and they move quite independently once they 

 are loaded. 



The pace of mule transport is from three to four miles an hour, the 

 mule being a quick walker. A short stepping, active pace is preferred to 

 long striding action as being less likely to shift the load, and so incur 

 risk of galling. The American mules alluded to above are said to move 

 at an amble " or "jog " when required, and have covered as much as 

 100 miles in a day, carrying a load of 250 lbs. 



(b 10948) S ^ 



