l62 



THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE 



Spain with a jack, which was used in stud at Mount Vernon 

 and sired mules that sold for upwards of ^200 each. The value 

 of the mule as a draft animal was soon recognized by intelligent 

 Southerners. Henry Clay in 1832 imported a jack from Spain 

 to Kentucky for use on mares, and others followed his example. 

 To-day, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, and Texas are the most 

 important producers of mules, Missouri leading, with St. Louis 

 the most prominent mule market in the world. 



The characteristics of the mule partake of both sire and dam. 

 There is the long ear, slender body, tufted or slightly haired tail, 



and small, slender foot, 

 and braying voice of the 

 ass. These features seem 

 to attach a peculiar char- 

 acter to this non-breeding 

 farm animal. Mules vary 

 greatly in size and quality, 

 naturally due to their 

 parentage. Other things 

 being equal, a large mule 

 brings a higher price in the 

 market than does a small 

 one. Mules are sorted and 

 classed for various pur- 

 poses. The larger, heavier 

 mules are used in city drayage and heavy draft work, or in lum- 

 ber camps. A medium size is used on farms and in military serv- 

 ice, while the smaller grades find places in mines and elsewhere. 

 The market classification of mules usually includes five groups, 

 which are as follows. 



I. Plantation mules. These are of two classes, viz. sugar mules 

 and cotton mules. In general, plantation mules represent the 

 larger, heavier, better type. In the Chicago market a sugar mule 

 stands from 16 to 16^ hands high and weighs from 1 100 to 1400 

 pounds. On the Kansas City market the height is given at 15 

 to 16 hands. Sugar mules are by some placed in the highest 

 class as regards quality and value. They must be smooth of 

 finish, show refinement of head and neck, and have superior 



Fig. 62. An unusually choice pair of show 

 mules of Plantation or Sugar class, first-prize 

 winners at Illinois State Fair, 1S97. Photo- 

 graph by the author 



