CHAPTER XX 



THE MULE 



The importance of the mule as a factor in American agri- 

 culture justifies a consideration of his production and use in a 

 general discussion of Horse Husbandry. 



The mule conforms to the definition of a hybrid in that his 

 sire is of one species, Equus asinus, and his dam is of another 

 species, Equus caballus, the common ancestor within the genus 

 being so remote as to render the hybrids sterile. 



Mule breeding was practiced by the ancients, and in some 

 countries they are depended upon almost altogether for work. 

 The inverse cross, which produces a hinny, is more difficult to 

 accomplish, the hybrid being smaller and less useful as a rule, 

 although it is contended by some that hinnies cannot be distin- 

 guished from mules. 



Mules have always been bred most extensively in semi-tropical 

 regions, the line being quite shar[)ly drawn between the produc- 

 tion of mules and draft horses. 



Classes of Mules. — An extended classification of mules is 

 given, but they are all bred for essentially two purposes, — work in 

 the fields and in the mines. Fann or plantation mules, or sugar 

 and cotton mules, as the market classes tliem, are bred chiefly 

 from well-bred mares of so-called hot blood and are therefore 

 rangy, fine, and snappy movers. The Southerner regards it as 

 no desecration to mate good saddle or trotting bred mares with 

 a jack, and some extremely breedy mules are the result (Fig. 

 109). 



The mine demand, which is of necessity for a draftier, bigger 

 lK>ned mule (Fig. 170), is met by mating the smaller, smoother 

 class of draft mares with big-boned jacks. Mine mules work 

 l)oth on the surface and down in the mines. The latter range 

 in height according to the veins in which they are to work. The 

 little 12-hand pitters are much in demand and bring a price out 

 of proportion to their size. 



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