320 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



true, and the value of flesh when put on a thin horse is 

 difficult to overestimate (p. 344). 



MARKET CLASSES OF MULES 



The mule market, though of more recent origin than 

 the horse market, has grown to be a business of great 

 magnitude and importance. In most respects the trad- 

 ing in mules is similar to that of horses ; this is par- 

 ticularly true of the market requirements. As in horses, 

 the market classes of mules are determined by the use 

 to which they are put. In the East St. Louis market, 

 which is the largest mule market in the world, there are 

 five market classes : Draft mules, farm mules, cotton 

 mules, sugar mules and mining mules. Mules are also 

 graded according to height in hands. 



Draft mules. — These animals do the same work as draft 

 horses. They are preferred by grading contractors and 

 for heavy teaming in cities located in warm climates, as 

 they have great' endurance and are able to stand the hot sun. 

 Draft mules stand from 16 to 17.2 hands high and weigh from 

 1,200 to 1,600 pounds. As in draft horses, the principal 

 quality sought is combined weight and strength. They 

 should be large and rugged, with heavy bone and strong 

 muscles, the back should be strong, the body deep and 

 closely coupled, the croup not too drooping, the thighs 

 and quarters heavily muscled and the feet should be large. 



Farm mules. — Mules purchased for agricultural pur- 

 poses are known on the market as farm mules. They are 

 rather lacking in uniformity, standing 15.2 to 16 hands 

 high and weighing from 1,000 to 1,300 pounds. They are 

 likely to be plain looking and thin in flesh, though pos- 

 sessing good constitution, bone and feet and the qualities 

 necessary for future development. Many of them are 

 worked for a time, then fattened, and returned to market, 

 when they sell in some of the higher priced classes. 



Mining mules. — Mules purchased to operate mines are 



