THE ASS AND THE MULE. 431 



OS has been stated by one of the superintendents, was two bushels of chop (rye) and one 

 bushel of corn a day for six horses : the same number of mules getting one and a-half bushels 

 corn only— our informant entertains the common impression that soft food is not suitable for 

 the mule, and that chopped rye, especially, is ill-adapted to his constitution, scouring him as 

 It 13 said to do negroes, who have a great aversion to the substitution of corn with occasional 

 rations of rye, when the owner happens to have a larger supply of the latter than of the 

 former ; unground grain, in a word, of whatever kind, answers best for the mule— thou<rh it 

 may be contended that when ground the stomach can extract more completely its nutriUous 

 qualities, it is not to be forgotten that the toll for grinding is in no case less than an eighth 

 for the miller, besides rats, and the labour of sending to mill ! 



The impressions of Mr. Andrew Ellicott, as to the economy and powers of the mule, so- 

 hcited because of his extraordinary opportunities to speak upon the subject, cannot be better 

 given than in his own words : 



" A mule, with one feed of six quarts of oats or rye, and furnished with good hay, will be 

 supported in good order. A team of six mules, kept at hay, can be supported with one bushel 

 and a half of ship-stuff with cut straw — or with one bushel of corn, divided into two feeds 

 per day. They do not require water in as great quantity, or as often as a horse, but they 

 thrive better by being watered often. 



"j^ ^^?1-'^ weighing 7001bs., at the Patuxent Furnaces, carries daily fifteen tons of ore, one 

 and a half tons of shells, slag and sand ten tons, and three tons of siftings and dirt from the 

 ore kilns.— The ore and shells are hauled up an elevation of thirty feet, and a distance of three 

 hundred yards; the balance of the above quantities is hauled about the same distance, though 

 at less elevation. This one mule has been at work at this rate since 1836, a period of six 



" Mules are not subject to ' Botts.' Bleeding at the mouth wiU cure them of nearly every 

 disease ; and by being turned out on pasture, will recover from almost any accident. This 

 IS wonderfully the case. Out of about one hundred mules, at the works, we have not lost, 

 on an average, one m two years. We do not recollect ever to have seen a "wind-broken" 

 one. They are scarcely ever defective in the hoofs, and although we keep them regularly 

 shod. It IS not near so important to do so, as in the case of a horse. Their skin is tougher 

 than that of a horse, and, consequently, are not so much worried by flies, nor do they suffer 

 as much with the heat of summer. They are 'truer' in starting, and never give up if well 

 °"^^- 7'^^y '^'■^ ^^'"^^ 1" the stages between Winchester and Staunton in Virginia. 



" I he instinct of the mule is very strong; and he has a much better memory, better iudff- 

 ment, and requires, in a greater degree, kind treatment. The manner in which he has been 

 treated by his driver can always be told by the temper he exhibits in the presence of that 

 functionary. If well-used, they are very docile and tractable, and show an attachment for 

 their care-takers— but if abused, or beaten, become exceedingly vicious and unmanageable 

 and manifest, for a long time, a recollection of such treatment. We have known them kick 

 at, and endeavour to injure, one who has beaten them, after a lapse of three weeks If they 

 go astray they may generally be found by pursuing a direct course towards the place from 

 whence they were purchased. Their driver can go into their stable, after they become ac- 

 quainted with him, at all hours in the night, without molestation, while it would be very 

 dangerous for a stranger to attempt it. ^ 



"The ugly-headed mule, or that approximating the nearest to the Jack, is the hardiest, 

 while the handsomest and largest is generally inferior in value to the middle-sized Our 

 teams are very often out from sunrise to late in the night— not feeding at noon, and 'are in 

 nrst rate order. 



Here, as well as anywhere else, may be introduced the proof in support of the "Norfolk 

 case of the breeding mule," referred to by General Shelby. Whatever doubt may arise here- 

 after there is none now, of the truth of the fact. Were it worth the trouble, the testimony 

 might be had of yet living witnesses, the principal one, a most respectable farmer and ffen- 

 tieman, having died since this account was published. 



We are indebted for a copy of the memoir of this extraordinary case from Ruffin's Maga- 

 line, where it would not have gained admittance if not well founded, to the kindness of that 

 observant naturahst, and zealous promoter of useful industry— Doctor G. B. Smith, of Balti. 

 more. 



Baltimore, April J, 1842. 



Dear Sir:—! comply with your request with pleasure. The case of breeding by a muie 



IS recorded authentically in the Farmer's Register, volume 2, page 389 ; and volume 3 



page 440. Supposing it no more than probable that you have not the Register to refer to' 



aud having half an hour's leisure, I proceed to copy the articles : ' 



