CHAPTER X 

 THE MULE 



The mule is the equine hybrid between the male ass, 

 Equus assinus, and the mare, Equus caballus. Although 

 "with no pride of ancestry, no hope of posterity," as the 

 Missourian has well said, and therefore eliminated from 

 the scope of this work in so far as selection in breeding is 

 concerned, there is ample justification, if little precedent, 

 for including the mule in this discussion. 



He rules supreme in the field of the work horse in the 

 South, while in some other agricultural districts he is 

 depended upon for the farm work, and his use in the cities 

 is considerable. It is important for those who use mules, 

 as well as those who purchase them, to know what mule 

 excellence consists of. 



Mules have been variously classed, in accordance with 

 the nature of the work to which they are put, but there 

 are essentially but two types, draft and plantation. 



181. The draft mule. — These mules are used for 

 power service chiefly outside the cities or at least off the 

 city streets. Mules pull more by their muscular strength 

 and steady, persistent effort than by virtue of their weight, 

 and are especially handy and sure footed in rough and try- 

 ing places. They " push " rather than " lift " their load. 

 For this reason, as well as on account of the small circum- 

 ference of their feet and comparatively less weight, they 

 are not as satisfactory on paved city streets as horses. 



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