20 THE MULE. 



of it. when he has not the first qualification to do so. 

 If he is asked a question at all, it is merely if he has 

 ever driven a team before. If he answer in the affirma- 

 tive, and there are any vacancies, he is employed at 

 once, though he may not know how to lead a mule by 

 the head properly. This is not alone the case with 

 teamsters. I have known wagon-masters who really 

 did not know how to straighten out a six-mule team, 

 or, indeed, put the harness on them properly. And yet 

 the wagon-master has almost complete power over the 

 train. It will be readily seen from this, how much 

 valuable property may be destroyed by placing incom- 

 petent men in such places. Wagon-masters, it seems 

 to me, should not be allowed, under any circumstances, 

 to have or take charge of a train of animals of any kind 

 until they are thoroughly competent to handle, harness, 

 and drive a six-animal team. 



There is another matter which needs essential im- 

 provement. I refer now to the men who are placed 

 as superintendents over our Government corrals and 

 depots for animals. Many of these men know little of 

 either the horse or the mule, and are almost entirely 

 ignorant of what is necessary for transportation. A 

 superintendent should have a thorough knowledge of 

 the character and capacity of all kinds of animals neces- 

 sary for a good team. He should know at sight the age 

 and weight of animals, should be able to tell the most- 

 suitable place for different animals in a team, and where 

 each would be of the most service. He should know 

 all parts of his wagon and harness at a glance, be 

 able to take each portion apart and put them together 



