AGRICULTURE. 229 
apiece. The Clydesdale and Flemish are considered the most 
valuable for crossing with the Californian mares, the offspring 
being large, strong farm-horses, worth twice as much in the 
market as the pure Californian. The thoroughbred horses in 
California are of the purest blood, and some of them have few 
superiors in Speed in any country. 
§ 168. Mules—Nearly all the farm work of California, 
where draught animals are necessary, is done with horses. 
Mules are too dear and oxen are too slow. <A great number 
of mules and horses are used in packing merchandise in those 
districts where there are no good wagon-roads. For the or- 
dinary uses of the farm the mule is preferable to the horse, 
being longer-lived, more healthy, not so much injured physi- 
cally or morally by ill-treatment, and contented with much 
cheaper and simpler food. But the mule is not considered 
handsome, and the small farmer wants a horse which he can 
ride, and with which he can take his family out, so he never 
gets a mule. Mules are now used on very few farms, but I 
think they will gradually gain in favor. Few mules are bred 
in the state at present, but there are some excellent jacks in 
Contra Costa county and in the San Joaquin valley. 
§ 169. Camels——Some camels have been introduced into 
California, but they are as yet few in number, and have been 
Nere but a short time. Our experience with them is therefore 
smail, and we do not know what value they are to have in the 
future. They are healthy, increase, thrive on our wild pas- - 
tures, are strong and active, climb our rugged mountains as 
well as horses or mules, carry loads of one thousand pounds 
each, go three or four days at a time without water, and are 
readily managed; but they have not been tried in a regular 
business way, and such trial is necessary before we can tell 
what they are to be. 
§ 170. Sheep.—The climate of California is peculiarly favor- 
able to the growth, increase, and health of the sheep. Our 
mild winters permit them to grow throughout the year; and 
it is an accepted principle :mong those familiar with the sub- 
