THE MULE. 11 



mule teams for years on the frontier, but I have yet to 

 see the first team of imbrolcen mules that could be 

 driven with any degree of certainty. I do not mean to 

 say that they cannot be got along the road ; but I 

 regard it no driving worth}' of the name when a driver 

 cannot get his team to any place where he may desire 

 to go in a reasonable time — and this he cannot do 

 with unbroken mules. With green or unbroken mules, 

 you must chase or herd them along without the whip, 

 until you get them to know that you want them to pull 

 in a wagon. When you have got them in a wagon, 

 pull their heads round in the direction you want them 

 to go ; then convince them by your kindness that you 

 are not going to abuse them, and in twelve days' care- 

 ful handling you will be able to drive them any way 

 you please. 



In bridling the young mule, it is necessary to have a 

 bit that will not injure the animal's mouth. Hundreds 

 of mules belonging to the Government are, in a measure, 

 ruined by using a bridle bit that is not much thicker 

 than the wire used by the telegraph. I do not mean 

 by this that the bridle bit used by the Government in 

 its blind bridles is not well adapted to the purpose. 

 If properly made and properly used, it is. Nor do 

 I think any board of ofiBcers could have gotten up or 

 devised a better harness and wagon for army purposes 

 than those made in conformity with the decision of the 

 board of officers that recommended the harness and 

 wagon now used. The trouble with a great many of 

 the bits is, that they are not made up to the regulations, 

 and are too thin. And this bit, when the animal's 



