VAUIETIES OF THE A^S. 93 



purposes, might thus be produced. In the islands of Ma- 

 jorca and Minorca, to which tlie ravages of foreign and 

 civil war have not so far extended, it is well ascertained 

 that the large, coarse, slouch-eared Spanish breed still exists 

 in perfection: and thence it would be easy to procure jen- 

 nies — as the females of the ass are technically termed — by 

 breeding which to the finest Maltese jacks, there can be no 

 doubt that stallions might bx3 reared superior in the com- 

 bination of bone with beauty and spirit to any breed of 

 original jacks now in existence. The choice of mares from 

 which to breed mules by such jacks is an easy matter. They 

 should on no account be blood mares, or highly-bred mares, 

 or tall mares. Fifteen hands in height is abundant stature, 

 and fifteen two is too large, but they should be rather long- 

 bodied, roomy, and, above all, bon}-. They should have long 

 shoulders, as oblique as possible, since those of the ass are 

 very straight, a peculiarity which it is desirable to correct ; 

 and, for analogous reasons, they should not have the pasterns 

 too stiff and erect ; and they should have the hoofs large, 

 round and well opened. The better their necks, withers 

 and heads, the neater, in all probability, will be the pro- 

 duce. On the whole, we have little doubt that fine, well- 

 selected Canadian or Norman mares will prove to be the 

 best mule mothers — as thorough-breds will prove to be the 

 worst — while Andalusian jacks or half-breeds, between the 

 Maltese and great Majorca race of asses, will prove the 

 best possible sires. It only remnins to be stated that, in 

 order to have mules docile and gentle, they should be 

 handled as young as possible, and invariably gelded before 

 they are six month old. The longer that operation is de- 

 ferred, the more indocile, obstinate, and, perhaps, vicious 

 they will become, which is the greatest defect in the char- 

 acter of the mule, and that against which it behooves the 

 breeder most to be on his guard. 



