CHAPTER VIII. 



HOW TO BEEED JTOXES. 



r*!-^ OP MO J!3 — THEIR HISTOBT AND NATUBAL HISTOTir — THE JIFIS ASI) 

 HXATJEr — THOEOUOH-BLOOD WASTED IN THE DAM FOB MIILES — THE MULD 

 DI TUB UNITED STATES — LAEOE SIZE NOT DESIRABLE — TABIETIES OP THD 

 ASS — THE KIND OP MABES TO BE SELECTED. 



How important this braBch of rural economy is becoming 

 in the United States may be seen by the following notice 

 of The Columbus Inquirer, copied into the veterinary de- 

 partment oi Porter's Spirit, and the comment accompany- 

 ing it : "A few days ago one hundred mules were sold in 

 Scott county, Kentucky, at an average of $177 each. Our 

 Southern planters have here another illustration of the 

 fact, that they can never fully realize the high price for 

 cotton until they raise their own stock and provisions ; for 

 the high price of one is always attended by a correspond- 

 ing rise of the other." In view of this fact, we propose 

 to devote a little space to the examination of the history 

 and natural history of the mule; the advantages which he 

 possesses, — as he does possess advantages of some kinds 

 and for some purposes over both the horse and the ox ; 

 his qualities, and the best and most profitable mode of 

 raising him for the market, and for producing his best 

 qualities and characteristics. 



To tell persons now-a-days that the mnle is the hybrid 



between the horse and the ass would appear to be so 



absolute a truism that the recipients of the information 



would be very apt to laugh at the informant, and yel, 



4* [81] 



