THE MULE 199 



from work than is the horse. The resistance of the mule to dis- 

 ease and its activity, sureness of foot, docility, and easiness of 

 keep have resulted in its finding much favor in the army service. 



The mule as a carriage or saddle animal is important in certain 

 sections. In the Southern states he is thus used very commonly 

 by negroes and the poorer classes of whites. In the Central West, 

 in states bordering the Ohio River, one occasionally sees gentle- 

 men driving mules, either singly or in pairs, in harness, attached 

 to carriages, the animals trotting with commendable speed. 



The prices paid for mules vary, naturally, with the quality and 

 character of the animals offered. However, the average farm 

 price for mules is greater than for horses. On January i, 19 19, the 

 average farm price for horses in the United States was ^98.48, 

 while for mules it was $135.59. In those markets where mules 

 are important very high prices rule, and a pair of heavy, matched 

 mules of superior quality and conformation sell easily for $500 and 

 upwards. The Poitou mule in France, rated the best in Europe, 

 sells at $200 to $300 a head and sometimes fetches $400. Large 

 numbers of mules change hands at from $100 to $150 per head. 

 In 19 10 a pair of mules in Maury County, Tennessee, weighing 

 3150 pounds, sold for $1000 to go to Louisiana. In 191 3 

 S. T. Harbison of Kentucky sold a closely matched pair weigh- 

 ing 2850 pounds for $1000, to go to Tennessee. These were 

 show mules of exceptional quality that had never been beaten in 

 competition. 



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