INTRODUCTION. cxiii 



There were in the southern States in 1850 405,222 asses and mules, and 822,047 in 1860. II 

 we add Kentucky, Missouri, and Maryland to the southern States, we then have 1,030,451; while all 

 the other States and Territories have only 120,697 asses and mules. 



The following table shows the number of asses and mules in the Pacific States in 1860, as com 

 pared with 1850: 



i860. 1850 



California 3, 68J 1,060 



Oregon 980 420 



New Mexico 1 1, 291 8, G54 



Utah 851 325 



Washington . . 159 



Total 16, 9G2 11, 005 



Asses and mules are used to a considerable extent in the Pacific States, but, more especially in 

 New Mexico. 



In all the States and Territories there were in 1850 one ass or mule to every 41 inhabitants; and 

 in I860 one to every 27 inhabitants. 



In the middle States there was one to every 480 inhabitants in 1850, and one to 298 in 1860. 



In the western States there was one to every 48 inhabitants in 1850, and one to 36 in 1860. 



In the southern States there was one to every 18 inhabitants in 1850, and one to every 11 inhabi 

 tants in 1860. 



In the Pacific States there was one to every 16 inhabitants in 1850, and only one to every 32 in 

 habitants in 1860. 



In all the sections except the New England and Pacific States, the increase in asses and mules 

 has been much greater than the increase in population. 



It is claimed that a good, well-bred mule will do as much work as a horse, while it can be kept 

 at one-third less expense. Mules are liable to fewer diseases than horses, and will bear ill treatment 

 better. For careless hands they are more profitable than horses, and the high prices which they 

 bring, and the rapidly increasing demand for them, shows that the prejudice against them is not as 

 great as formerly. The active life of a mule is about double that of horses. They require less than 

 half the expense for shoeing. It is claimed that an average lot of mules can be disposed of more 

 readily and at better prices than an average lot of horses; and that, as they cost less to feed, and can 

 be worked a year earlier, they are a more profitable stock to raise. 



WORKING OXEN. 



The total number of working oxen in the States and Territories, in 1850, was 1,700,744, and in 

 I860, 2,254,911 ; an increase of 32 per cent. 



The following table shows the number of working oxen in the New England States in 1860, as 

 compared with 1850: 



I860. 1850. 



Connecticut 47, 939 46, 9SS 



Khode Island 7, 857 8, 189 



Massachusetts 38, 221 40, 1 1 1 



Vermont 42, 639 48, 577 



New Hampshire 51, 512 59, 027 



Maine 79, 792 83, 893 



Total 267, 960 292, 785 



Excepting Connecticut, the number of working oxen has decreased in all the New England States 

 since 1850. There were 292,785 in 1850, and only 267,960 in 1860 a decrease of 24,825 in ten years. 



15 



