180 MULES. 



the Andalusian breed, that correspond very minutely 

 with Mr. Custis's description of Compound bred by 

 General Washington, and also a mule, that now, not 

 three years old, stands fifteen hands, and has other 

 points of great promise. 



Such have been the ravages of war and anarchy in 

 Spain for a long time past, that the fine race of Jacks 

 that country once possessed have become almost ex- 

 tinct. In Majorca, and probably some part of the 

 coast of Spain opposite, the large breed may be ob- 

 tained ; and there formerly was a superior race in 

 Andalusia, which it is hoped have been preserved. 

 Crosses on one of these breeds by the Arabian or Mal- 

 tese, I consider indispensable to furnish a race of Jacks 

 for the production of the most desirable mules, uniting 

 the weight and bone of one, with the spirit and vigour 

 of the other, although their height will in a great mea- 

 sure depend on the mares, yet if sired by full blooded 

 Maltese Jacks, their limbs are too slender and their 

 pasterns too long for heavy draught; but for the 

 saddle, especially from blood mares, they are admira- 

 ble, and out of stout mares suitable for light carriages. 



My attention has been but lately directed to breed- 

 ing mules ; and those intended only for my own use. 

 The system adopted is to halter them at four months, 

 and have the males emasculated before six months old, 

 which has great influence on their future conduct, aud 

 is attended with much less hazard and trouble, than if 

 delayed until they are one or two years old, as is the 

 general practice. If they are treated gently and fed 

 occasionally out of the hand, with corn, potatoes, &c. 

 they soon become attached ; and when they find that 

 " every man's hand is not against them," will have no 

 propensity to direct their heels against him, and soon 

 forget they have the power. In winter they should 



