188 THE PRACTICAL HOUSE KEEPER. 



qualities of the horse and ass, and few, if any, of their bad 

 ones. As an American writer on the mule says : " There is 

 no more useful or willing animal than the mule, and, perhaps 

 there is no other animal so much abused, or so little cared for. 

 Popular opinion of his nature has not been favourable ; he has 

 had to plod and work through life against the prejudices of the 

 ignorant. Still, he has been the great friend of man, in war 

 and in peace serving him faithfully. If he could tell man what 

 he most needed, it would be kind treatment. We all know 

 how much can be done to improve the condition and advance 

 the comfort of this animal ; and he is a true friend of humanity 

 who does what he can for his benefit." 



The mule is but little used in this country, though his ser- 

 vices might be largely made available, especially in agriculture. 

 He is much stronger than the ass, is more capable of bearing 

 fatigue than the horse, is less restive under the pressure of 

 heavy weights on his back, and his skin being harder and less 

 sensitive, renders him capable of resisting better the sun and 

 rain. He lives as long as the horse, costs less, is more suitable 

 as a beast of burden, and is far superior in sure-footedness. 

 He can do more work daily than the ox, but is perhaps more 

 expensive to purchase ; while he is dearer to keep, as the ox 

 can be turned out to graze, but some suitable food must 

 generally be provided for the mule, if he is doing work. 



It has for centuries been recognised that, for general pur- 

 poses, the mule is the best of military transport animals, for 

 which his special qualities eminently fit him : he being frugal, 

 patient^ possessed of great endurance, slightly affected by heat 

 or rain, easily fed, and equally good for burden as for draught; 

 he walks well, picks his way easily on bad roads, moves by the 

 side of a precipice with much safety, and passes over every 

 description of ground, independent of roads. 



He is long-lived and seldom sick, though his infirmities are 

 generally acute. He is said to be easily alarmed by the noise 



