62 IRISFf DONKEYS FOR SOUTH AFRICA 



ground with less leading. One man can drive ten 

 donkeys on the march, and they need little rations, 

 grooming, or protection from cold. 



This being the case for the donkey as he is, it is 

 worth while considering the value of the donkey as he 

 might be. We must assume that under no circum- 

 stances will the ass ever bring money ' for show ' or 

 fashion, and that none of the increment which improvers 

 of nearly all breeds of high-class animals may expect 

 from this source may be expected in this case. Solid 

 merit will be the only measure of value. This must 

 be obtained by first forming a clear idea of what the 

 different breeds of donkey are capable of doing, and 

 how far they will suit the wants of particular classes. 

 In Syria, where the animal is at its best, there are four 

 breeds of donkey used for work as distinct as that of 

 the different classes of English horse. There are a 

 large rough donkey, standing thirteen and a half hands 

 high, for drawing carts ; a heavier kind, used on the 

 farms ; a ' gentleman's ' riding donkey, standing as 

 high as fourteen hands, comfortable to ride and quick ; 

 and a lighter class used for ladies. No one in this 

 country would ride a donkey, except children. His 

 place is in minor traffic here, and for transport by 

 means of packs if exported. The object of the breeder 

 should be to level up the animals all round, just as 

 the standard of Irish cattle has been raised all round. 



