26 



unfortunate propensity to stampede, as evidenced at 

 Nicholson's Nek during^ the recent campaign ; but, 

 when under proper human control, this peculiarity 

 can generally be counterbalanced, unless under very 

 unusual circumstances. 



BREEDING OF MULES. 



Mules are very largely used in the United States 

 for agricultural purposes, and are considered superior 

 to horses. They have increased over one hundred 

 per cent, during the last two decades, which forcibly 

 illustrates the importance which is attached to them 

 in that country. They are generally used in India 

 for the same purpose, and are held in high repute 

 by those competent to form an opinion on the subject. 

 The best class of jackasses are imported into the 

 United States at large prices for stud purposes. The 

 United States mules are considered superior to South 

 African mules, and bring correspondingly higher 

 prices. It is affirmed that very indifferent mares in 

 the United States breed sound progeny when crossed 

 by jackasses, and that they do not transmit hereditary 

 disease, but such assertions require to be accepted 

 with the proverbial grain of salt. It is possible that 

 the violent cross of blood may tend in this direction, 

 but how it should it is impossible to say ; anyhow, it 

 would be a very unwise principle on which to build 

 a healthy and improving stud. By using a proper 

 class of mares, mules are sometimes bred which grow 

 to sixteen hands, and even more. 



