THE MULE. 47 



witli profit, where the roads are good and wagons and 

 animals are to be had. In mountains, over deserts 

 and plains of sand, where forage is scant, and water 

 only to be had at long intervals, then the pack is a 

 necessity, and can be used with profit. Let it be under- 

 stood, also, that in packing, the Spanish pack-mule, as 

 as well as saddle, is the most suitable. Second : The 

 Spanish method of packing is, above all others, the most 

 ancient, the best and most economical. With it the 

 animal can carry a heavier burden with less injury to 

 himself. Third : The weight to be packed, under ever 

 so favorable circumstances, should never be over four 

 hundred and fifty pounds. Fourth : The American 

 pack-saddle is a worthless thing, and should never be 

 used when any considerable amount of weight is re- 

 quired to be packed. 



If I had previously entertained any doubt in regard 

 to this American pack-saddle, it was removed by what 

 came under my observation three years ago. While 

 employed in the quartermasters' depot, at Washington, 

 D. C.,as superintendent of the General Hospital Stables,' 

 we at one time received three hundred mules, on which 

 the experiment of packing with this saddle had been 

 tried in the Army of the Potomac. It was said this was 

 one of General Butterfield's experiments. These animals 

 presented no evidence of being packed more than 

 once ; but such was the terrible condition of their backs 

 that the whole number required to be placed at once 

 under medical treatment. Officers of the army who 

 knew Dr. Braley, know how invariably successful he 

 has been in the treatment of Government animals, and 



