THE POITOU ASS. 101 



end is the production of mules for the market. The 

 breeders will sell their mules readily enough, but think 

 twice before selling their asses. 



The engraving of a yearling Poitou jack is from a drawing, 

 admirably executed by the late Mr. T. W. Wood, of a young 

 Poitevin baudet. He stood 46in., and ultimately reached 

 14 hands. He was very gentle and tractable in temper. 



Long before the expected time of parturition the farmer 

 or his son always sleeps in the stable, so as not to be taken 

 by surprise, and the greatest excitement prevails through- 

 out the whole establishment. If the young animal proves 

 to be a female the excitement subsides quickly enough, but 

 if a male (technically termed fedon) makes his appearance, 

 great rejoicing is the consequence, and for a whole month 

 the proprietor scarcely leaves his treasure either by night 

 or day. But here again prejudice and ignorance step in. 

 The young animal is deprived of the first milk, or what is 

 known astbe colostrum, oiits mother. The peculiarly laxa- 

 tive effect of this milk has been well ascertained, but the 

 Poitou peasant chooses to designate it as poison.j and the 

 young animals are not allowed to partake of what has been 

 specially designed by Nature for their well-being, and the 

 consequence is that in the first month o£ their existence 

 the whole system becomes thoroughly deranged, and a 

 great many of them are lost. After the first month is 

 over the critical time has passed, and there is then little 

 difficulty attending their rearing. Weaning takes place 

 at eight or nine months. Those that the breeder does not 

 require are readily bought by the dealers who scour the 

 country, and who resell them to the keepers of ateliers 

 in various parts of the province. In the case of one 

 breeder selling a young baudet, or male ass, to another, 

 or in the case of change of ownership of an adult 



