520 Types and Market Classes of Live Stock 



money. The trade begins in August, and usually ends in February. 

 They are in greatest demand in September, October, and November. 

 Farm mules are those purchased for use on farms in the central 

 states. They are less uniform in type than the other classes, as farmers 

 like to buy animals that show promise of further development. Farm 

 mules are usually from 15-2 to 16 hands high, and from 3 to 6 years 

 old, four-year-olds being preferred. They are often plain looking and 

 thin in flesh, though possessing good constitution, bone, and feet, and 

 showing indications of a good outcome when well fed and cared for. 

 Many of them are worked for a time, then fattened and returned to 

 the market. When resold they may be taken as miners, sugar mules, 

 or cotton mules. The strongest demand for farm mules occurs during 

 the late winter and spring months. 



Fig. 207. — Farm or wheel mule. 



Draft mules are large, heavy-boned, heavy-set mules, with plenty 

 of quality. They are purchased to do heavy teaming work. Many are 

 used by contractors doing railroad grading, and consequently they are 

 often spoken of as railroad mules. They are especially demanded for 

 heavy teaming work in cities in warm climates, where they are pre- 

 ferred to horses because they are said to be hardier, able to stand the 

 hot sun better, and not subject to as many ills. Draft mules stand 

 from 16 to 17-2 hands high, and weigh from 1,200 to 1,600 pounds and 

 upwards. They should combine weight and strength. They should 

 be large, rugged, heavily boned, and strongly muscled. The feet should 

 be large, the back short and strong, the middle deep and closely coupled, 

 the croup fairly level, and the thighs and quarters massive. They are 



