THE CUBA REVIEW. 



17 



MULE HAULING HEAVY LOADS OF TIMBER. MULE WITH CART LOADED WITH CHARCOAL. 



can money) each. These large mules are mostly used for carting in the cities ot 

 teaming on the macadam roads. I think that every person that has visited Havana 

 has noticed the handsome mules usedl in the heavy carts and remarked on the 

 immense loads that they haul over .the rough and slippery pavements. Smaller mules 

 suitable for ordinary farming purposes sell for $220 to $240 each, while gaited 

 saddle .mules sell at very high prices. Gaited saddle mules are in demand by those 

 who do a great deal of steady riding through the country, such as tobacco buyers, 

 as they are easy riding, stand the heat and work well and are sure-footed. 



As a general rule Cubans prefer a mule raised in Cuba tO' those imported and 

 are willing to pay a little more for such an animial provided it is suited to their 

 purpose, as they know that such an animal is perfectly acclimated and used to • 

 Cuban methods. 



The raising of mules in Cuba is likely to prove much more profitable than the 

 raising of horses for the following reasons: The prices are higher and the demandl 

 is greater. It is a well known fact that the percentage of foals is greater when 

 mares are bred to a jack than when bred to a stallion. Mule colts are fully as 

 easily raised as horse colts and, as a rule, they imature so that they can be placed 

 on the market one year younger than horses. 



A letter recently received in response 

 to an inquiry from an American company 

 that is engaged in raising mules in the 

 province of Camaguey, as to the per cent, 

 of colts born and the per cent, that 

 lived, .said that all . their mares had 

 colts and all lived. This, however, is 

 exceptional. , While the opportunities 

 ofifered ■ in . Cuba for raising mules are 

 excellent, one should have some prac- 

 tical, knowledge of the business. Good 

 high pastures with plenty of grass, 

 shade and pure water should be select- 

 ed. The breeding mares should be of 

 good size, and it is necessary to import 

 a large American or Spanish jack with 

 good bone .and disposition, as there are 

 few jacks of this type in Cuba. An 

 excellent type of pack is shown in the 

 accompanying photograph of "Mortgage 

 Lifter," owned by the Cuban govern- 

 ment, at Cuban Experiment Station. _ 



The opportunity for raising mules in 

 Cuba is being recognized both by Cu- 

 bans and Americans, and several breed- 

 ing ranches are devoting attention to this 

 important branch of the' live stock in- 

 dustry. 



Mule Breeding in Barbados. 



The Barbados Agricultural Society are applying to the Legislature of the col- 

 ony to make a grant for the purchase of a stallion donkey for mule-breedmg pur- 

 poses. Kentucky mules at present cost about £36 to £38 m Barbados. _ The 

 services of such an animal should certainly be in considerable demand m the island, 

 and the returns obtained would probably pay for his up-keep, and leave an annual 

 balance toward his initial cost. 



JACK, "MORTGAGE LIFTER." 



Property of Cuban governmeut. Estaciou Centr.ii 



Agronomica. 



