MULES 205 



therefore, he should not be mated with mares of this con- 

 formation. Mares with comparatively large, smooth, sym- 

 metrical bodies will add size, smoothness, and refinement to 

 the mule. Mares possessing an undue amount of cold blood 

 are not adapted to mule production. In seeking refinement 

 it should not be carried to the extreme and thus decrease the 

 size of the mule, as such animals are not readily salable at 

 remunerative prices. The principal attributes of the mule- 

 producing mare are included in moderate height and weight, 

 a body with squareness of form, well proportioned with the 

 other regions, smoothness and symmetry, strong bone, 

 quality and general refinement, thus showing a moderate 

 amount of light horse finish and refining characteristics. 



Market Classes of Mules. — The mule markets recognize 

 several classes which include the following: draft, farm, 

 sugar, cotton, and mining mules. The first two classes 

 are generally of special significance, although not the most 

 widely bred or used. Market mules are sold wholly on 

 their fitness for draft, agricultural, army, or mine use. 



The Illinois Experiment Station defines them on a basis 

 of height and weight qualifications as follows: 



Class. Height in hands. Weight range. 



Draft mules 16 to 17-2 1200 to 1600 



Farm mules 15-2 to 16 900 to 1250 



Sugar mules 16 to 17 1150 to 1300 



Cotton mules 13-2 to 15-2 750 to 1100 



Mining mules 12 to 16 600 to 1350 



Draft Mules. — ^This type of mule is the largest which is 

 placed on the market. Their height ranges from 16 to 17-2 

 hands, and their weight from 1200 to 1600 pounds. They 

 should be large and strong in bone, although the quality 

 should be up to standard, the same as in the horse. They 

 should be compact, deep bodied, low set, closely coupled, and 

 have symmetry of form throughout. The muscling should 

 be heavy, especially about the thighs and quarters. They 

 should have a hardy and rugged appearance, such as that 

 which characterizes the draft type of the horse. Mules of 

 this type possessing plenty of quality and substance are 

 capable of doing heavy team work, and their value for this 



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