Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-01-18
From the GaInestof Neios, Dec. so

! we VlSltpd PARSONS W 1afI on 1NeSNay. 10
I witness feat of strength performed by one
} of Mrs. Watson's camels. Of which there were
I near a doz N on the wharf, of all sizes and
J ages. The camel loaded was one OF the largest.
| Upon the word of command being given, the
I camel lay down. ready to receive his lead.
/ which consisted of five bales Of hay, weighing
I, in the aggregate over 400 pounds, which
We're firmly bound TO the pannicr place upon
! the animals hump. Upon the utt rance of
| command by the native keeper, the huge
J animal rose. without an apparent extra effort,
! to his feet. and walk d off in stately manner
| along the wharf and through the city. We
| were Informed that the same camel had had
. 1900 pounds placed upon him, with which
enormous weight he easily rose.
/ The animals are all exceedingly tractable
and seem to possess much affection for any
one who treats them kindly, as an example of
which Mrs. w. informed us that one of them.
a pretty white one. which she had petted,
would always kiss her. when she went within
kissing distance, which tactwe really thought
proved the animal to possess an excellent
taste, well as an aiiectionate disposition
In their native country the average load for
full grown camel is some eight hundred
pounds, with which they perform long
journeys over deserts with but little food or
water.
We doubt not that with the abundant
forage found in all parts of Texas, and a full
supply of water generally. the camel will
improve in strength and general appearance,
and be able to transport larger loads, at
more rapid pace. than in his native country.
In relation to a challenge published by Mr.
Mark Il. Cockrill. of Tennessee. Offering to
match mules against cumels, the following
communication appears in the News:
GALVESTON, Dec. 49, 1853
Editors Netcs: Having seen the above publ
cation respecting cam'ls and mules, from
such 4 respectable source as Mark r. Cockrll,
Of Tennessee. feel it duty to give Il short
and correct report. respecting the packing
capacity. food &c. between mules and camels.
Tn. importation of camelS To thu country.
was first made bv Hon. Jefferson Davis, u. ;.
Senator from Mississippi, then Secretary of
Var. the Hon. John b. Floyd, by undoubted
and highly respectable United States officials,
such as Major Wayne, Lieuts. Porter aud
Beal. &C.. &c.
There are camelS that can pack 1000 and
travel six or eight miles with the load. Can
any mule pack 900 and go half the distance?
Take four camclS that will rise with coo
pounds. and load them 1900 each. and they
will travel from san Antonio to FL Paso. six
hundred and thirty mil s, ut the rate OF thirty
miles per day for six days in the week.
Can four of the best mules in the Unit
Antonio to Ell Paso, and travel fifteen miles
per day, six days in the week?
The answer will be in favor Of the camel.
Therefore. the capacity-of the camel is fully
equal To that Of four mules, hat. taking into
consideration the expense of four saddles for
the mules, aud only one for the camel, fold T.
&c. one camel is more profitable than six
mules. A camel will only eat or at the
most of what a mule will, and on the grass
and straw that n camel Will thrive, mule
will starve. A camel can be fed by the road.
when mule requires grain. The camel can
travel three to five days in the summer, or
eight to twelve in the winter, without water,
which the mule cannot do. Camels live twice
as long as mules.
The tulee, or mule camel. is more useful
than the camel, and can pack l,200, on an
average. as easily as mules 300 and travel
as easily 20 miles day a mule twelve
Camels can be raised as easily and rs cheaply
in the United States ~ mules. Camels are
not used for drawing, but for packing and
blowing. Yet. a camel can draw more
than two horses or two mules. A few days
since. in this place, cart loaded ard drawn
by two horses. got in the mud, and the horses
could not pull it out. The horses were taken
away from the cart. and single camel drew
the cart out Immediately, and with great
ease.
The camel that you saw yesterday. rising
with five bales of hay, weighing above 400
rs. can pack 900 or 1900 and that after a
voyage of 40 days. and 90 d ,ys fed on the
poor grass around Galveston. Mules fed on
such grass, without grain, could not pack
much for a long travel. a gentleman from
New York. resident in this State, who saw
the camel rise with the five bales of hay. says
that there is a great difference between the
packing capacities of the camel and the mule
He says that he had 300 packing mules in
California, and that they never packed on an
average over 800 n, and seldom ever travel
ed over II miles even in short distances. and
had TO be fed with grain and not able to do
that over four or five days out of seven-and
they soon become useless by sore backs. etc.