THE DOMESTIC ASS 



245 



its distribution is widespread, although little attention is 

 given to its breeding. Its principal use is that of a pack 

 animal. The color is usually black, but bluish and gray- 

 ish colors are not uncommon. In size the Italian jack 

 is among the smallest, rarely exceeding 13 or 14 hands. 

 Considering the height, these jacks have rather large 

 bone and good weight of body. They are well propor- 

 tioned and have good action. 



The Italian in America. — As with the Majorca, there is 

 no record of the first 

 importations although 

 jacks of this breed very 

 early found their way 

 to Tennessee and other 

 mule-producing states. 

 The chief cause for 

 their early introduc- 

 tion is said to have 

 been their cheapness. 

 They did not meet with 

 favor in America, prin- 

 cipally because of the 

 small size, although 

 they have also been 

 criticized as being 

 prone to serve a mare, and as having a tendency to 

 viciousness. L. M. Knight, who has written much on 

 jacks, jennets and mules, states that it is his observation 

 that small jacks are more likely to develop vicious habits 

 than large ones, and he also adds that jacks are not trust- 

 worthy animals. 



The Poitou jack. — ^This breed was developed in south- 

 ern France, especially in the province of Poitou, border- 

 ing on the Bay of Biscay. Here, in the departments of 

 La Vendee and Deux-Sevres, the most fertile part of 

 all France, the Poitou ass is bred in his greatest purity. 

 This is a very old breed, as mention is made of it as early 



Fic. 125. — Prize Jack "Dr. Hartman" 



