51 



down and becomes useless. The mule was used quite extensively 

 dui'ing our late war for hauling baggage trains, &c., and proved of 

 great value. 



AU are agreed that the mule is good for such kinds of work, but 

 in many localities, especially among us, there is a prejudice against 

 him, partly unfounded and partly on account of his supposed stub- 

 bornness and his kicking proj^ensity. ."Well, as one writer says, he 

 is a "born kicker," but if proper care be taken in breaking — if, in- 

 stead of whacking them with clubs and cudgels and trying to whiji 

 the kick out of them, as is often done, kindness and patience are 

 used, there will be no difficulty whatever in managing them, and no 

 more danger from their heels than from a well-broken horse. By 

 kind treatment mules may be rendered the most docile and affec- 

 tionate creatures among our domestic animals. Wherever they 

 have been faithfully tried for use upon the farm, the prejudice soon 

 gives way. The owner of the two paii's of mules which were entered 

 for premium at the late fair, said they would do more work and 

 do it easier than horses; that he could keep them in good working- 

 condition on much less quantity and poorer quahty of food; that 

 for a time he worked one horse and one mule together because he 

 was unable to procure another mule in this vicinity, and that in a 

 very short time the mule would wear the horse out. 



In very many locahties, especially in southern countries, mules are 

 used for all kinds of farm work, on omnibuses, street-cars, carriages, 

 &c., and are excellent under the saddle. The practical question for 

 us however is, what are the qualifications that fit them for general 

 use by the farmers of Hampshii-e Count}'. Some of these have al- 

 ready been mentioned. They are peculiarly adapted to plowing and 

 cultivating between rows of corn, tobacco, broom-corn, and all hoed 

 crops, as their step is quick and sure, they track aU their feet in nearly 

 the same line, are natiurally intelligent, very soon learning not to 

 step uj)on the young plants, and can easily be managed without the 

 use of the Hne, but simj)ly by the word of command. For these 

 reasons they are also admirably fitted for use in the garden. They 

 endure ii-regularity in feeding better than the horse, are less affected 

 by changes in the weather, and recuperate more readily from fatigue 

 and starvation. 



From what we have seen of the working of these animals elsewhere 

 as well as fi-om facts we gather fi-om varioiis sources, we arc con- 

 vinced that it is for the interest of the farmers to use the mule mori' 

 generally upon their farms, and that mule raising in this locality 



