24 



streets, and the monopoly is undoubtedly enjoyed 

 by Shire breeders. For breeders who cater for the 

 commercial market rather than the show-ring", success 

 will be more readily attained by a judicious amalgama- 

 tion of Shire and Clydesdale blood, in about equal 

 proportions, than by prosecuting a system of absolu- 

 utely pure breeding. This blend must be insisted 

 upon, even at the risk of shocking the sensitive 

 instincts of breeders of pure -bred stock. Some of 

 the best heavy horses of the day, as proved both in 

 the show-yard and the sale-ring, have been bred in 

 this way. The size and power of Shire mares, com- 

 bined with the quality and activity of Clydesdale 

 stallions, produce a class of heavy horses which, for 

 commercial purposes in towns, is ''second to none." 



MULES. 



Mules, as is well known, are the progeny of a cross 

 between jackasses and pony mares. The progeny of 

 the converse cross are called hinnies. The latter are 

 not much bred in Britain, though in Ireland they 

 are produced in comparatively large numbers. It 

 is generally held b}' naturalists that mules will not 

 breed, although isolated cases are occasionally re- 

 ported when female mules have been said to bring 

 forth young. Those reports, however, are generally 

 from out-of-the-way places and cannot be authenti- 

 cated. There is a certain prejudice existing against 

 mules in this country, and it is doubtful if their 

 breeding will ever become very popular. On the 



