. Genetics in relation to agriculture. Livestock; Heredity; Variation (Biology); Plant breeding. 516 GENETICS IN RELATION TO AGRICULTURE In this account species liybrids will be treated according to whether they themselves are of some value or are possible sources of breed foundation stock. The hybrids which are themselves of some practical value, so far as utilization in this country goes, are confined to the genus Equus and its allied genera, and the typical example of this class of hybrids is the mule. The mule has proved a very satisfactory draft animal, and at the present time it is large
. Genetics in relation to agriculture. Livestock; Heredity; Variation (Biology); Plant breeding. 516 GENETICS IN RELATION TO AGRICULTURE In this account species liybrids will be treated according to whether they themselves are of some value or are possible sources of breed foundation stock. The hybrids which are themselves of some practical value, so far as utilization in this country goes, are confined to the genus Equus and its allied genera, and the typical example of this class of hybrids is the mule. The mule has proved a very satisfactory draft animal, and at the present time it is largely used, particularly in warmer climates, for that purpose (Fig. 197).. Fig. 197.—A choice draft mule. Height 18-2 hands, weight 1900 pounds. An heavy mule of excellent type. {After Ohrecht.) The mule is a hybrid between the mare and the jack; the reciprocal cross of the jennet and stalUon is called a hinny (Fig. 198). The cross is an instance of strict species hj'bridization and both sexes of the hj^brid are sterile. The importance of the mule breeding industry in the United States may be judged from the fact that according to statistics of 1915 the estimated number of mides was about 4,500,000 with a farm value exceed- ing $500,000,000. The average value of mules per head according to U. S. Department of Agriculture estimates was ., while that of horses was placed at $ These latter figures may be taken roughlj^ as an indication of the relative esteem in which horses and mules are held for draft purposes, which is practically the only purpose for which mules are employed. Although the mule breeding industry is of such great magnitude, the relative merits of the horse and mule even for draft purposes are still in dispute. It is not the purpose of this account to enter into the debate, Digitized by Microsoft®. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appe
Size: 1699px × 1471px
Photo credit: © The Book Worm / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksu, booksubjectplantbreeding
