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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8987, 19 September 1892, Page 5

According to a report lately published it appears that the largest and best working donkeys in the world are to be found in Sicily, especially in the province of Catania. These animals surpass in size and height the famous white donkeys of Maskat. They are a breed particularly adapted for labour, while, we read, " for endurance no other domesticated working animal can approach them." The Sicilian donkey has been bred for centuries for size and working qualities, and his home is on the small island of Pantellaria, off the south-east coast of Sicily. A good specimen will stand 12£ hands high ; the colours are black, red, and grey, and many have hair as short and fine as that of a thoroughbred horse. Their good qualities are lack of all stubbornness, great draught power, and being easily kept, as they are small consumers of food. A jack of this breed crossed on a common mare gives a large mule, but in this is not often done, the smaller Malteso jacks being generally preferred, because, ovnntr to the mountainous country, a male of 9001b weight or less is considered more desirable. The opinion it expressed 'that "if these large, docile, quick-walking donkeys could, be introduced into the United States/they would prove of great value to small farmers, especially to the class of small negro farmers in the South, who, for various reasons, cannot afford to' keep horses." •■'. ,•-'.*