Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-10-26

the end of the days journey--usually about
noon-by which means the evening supply of
grain is saved
Of course these remarks do not apply to the
courier dromedary when travelling at speed.
His food on such occasions, should be, if pos
sible, about eight pounds Of unbolted -four and
two pounds of goatT, or a quart of moasses, at
each feed, with dry fodder at night. A conside-
rable amount of ghee Tan oil of butter,) is given
to these rapid PAGERS, as it greatly improves
their wind. In this country lard, or any good
animal oil, might probably be substituted with
advantage.
With regard to water, the camels require it
but once each day for comfort but should be
permitted to drink it at viii, whenever it is &C.
cessibe. The Syrian stock is accustomed to
the bitter water Of deserts, and their progeny
also should be reared in the midst of such diff
culties as they will be expected to contend with
in after life. Their singular power of resisting
the consequences of the abstraction of water
may be improved to a great extent by training,
and be brought to degree of perfection pro-
badly sufficient for the longest necessary jour
ney through the Wilderness of western America,
without wasting power by carrying supply OF
an article so ponderous
One of the great advantages of rearing the
Booghdee and the Bactrian camel in this coun-
try, would be found in the value of the long
wool of the head, neck, breast, hump and
shoulders, forming fleece probably quite
equal to that of four sheep, which is annually
shaver and employed in forming tissues, ap-
preaching in softness the wool of Thibet, and
surprising in silky smoothness and fineness
the most delicate flannel. The proceeds ofthis
article alone would nearly or quite repay the
cost of maintaining the animal, especially in
the far west. As the saddle for the Booghdee
is always so constructed as to avoid pressure on
the hump, this wool is not destroyed by its at
triton when the animal is on duty The reason
why this very valuable pile has not heretofore
attracted the attention Of European and Amer
lean manufacturers, may be inferred from the
fact that little is known here of any animal of
the camel family, except the dromedary Of the
plains, or Indian dromedary, which does not
produce it. The camel s-hair shawl, so called,
is not formed of the hair of the camel at all,
but, as is well known it is woven from the pile
Of the goat of Thibet. It's erroneous title was
probably derived from the great reputation of
the wool now under notice, which commands
very high price in the east, though, of course,
much inferior in fneness to the goats. 1t is
used exclusively i'll the manufacture of cloths
and shawls for the consumption of the mobiles.
We offer these somewhat extended details to
show that the idea of the domestication of the
camel tribe in the United States is a subject Of
great Importance in various ways, that it is sur
rounded with difficulties not likely to be FORE
seen by careless thinkers, and that the failure
Of the design, through any defect of plan,
would be national misfortune. To import the
stock without proper selection and manage
ment of the animals, both before and after their
arrival, by committing the affair to some highly
intelligent person already fully acquainted with
their habits, wants, and treatment would be
fatal tosuccess Even the importation Of Arabic
or Syrian drivers would only increase the ex-
pense to great extent, without furnishing an
effective remedy for the evil; for knowledge
of the climate and resources of both east and
west is not less necessary than an acquaint-
ance with the languages Of both regions, to
certainty and propriety.