THE DOMESTIC ASS 



247 



ficult for horses, and hence extremely useful as a pack 

 annual, m which capacity it was formerly used almost 

 exclusively. While it is still useful as a pack, in mining 

 regions, in difficult passes, and the like, yet its major use 

 in America is that of siring mules. Since it is the larger 

 mules that are the 

 more useful and 

 command a premium 

 on the market, only 

 jacks of considerable 

 size should be used 

 in mule breeding. 

 The rules of entry 

 to the American 

 Jack Stock Stud 

 Book on the subject 

 of height and color, 

 are as follows : After 

 January i, 1892, 

 jacks and jennets, of 

 unrecorded sire or 

 dam, shall be eligible 

 to registration only 

 when black with light points and of the following height, 

 standard measure: Imported jacks and jennets, and na- 

 tive jennets, the produce of unrecorded sire or dam, 15 

 hands; native jacks, the produce of unrecorded sire or 

 dam, 15.2 hands. From this it would seem that for best 

 results In mule breeding the jack should stand approxi- 

 mately 15.2 hands high and be black with light points. 

 The temperament, quality, style and action should also 

 be considered, as these will be reflected in the offspring. 

 Organizations and records. — In 1888, the American 

 Breeders' Association of Jacks and Jennets was organ- 

 ized as, a stock company and a stud book established, of 

 which several volumes have been published. In France 

 an association for registering jacks and jennets also exists. 



Fig. 126. — Prize Jack "General Wood" 



