The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-01-25
THE CAMEL.
His Nature, Habits and Uses.

T observed in the National Intelgencer of the
24fh a republication of article FROM the Ala
bama Sentinel, ''On the uses Of Canels, by cor
respondent who signs himself "J Jatros.' The pur-
pose of the article is to induce inquiry as to the
usefulness of the Camel in the production of Corn
and Cotton, and on our plantations generally.
Having been occupied now ten years with the ex-
pertinent of introducing the camel into this coun-
try, permit to offer, through your columns,
briefly to "Jatros' and other enquirers, few OF
the results of reading, observation and thought
upon these points. To do concisely, and at the
same time sufficiently, will follow them in their
order, as presented by your correspondent.
The climative range of the camel, in which he
has been known, indesputably, to live, thrive and
be useful, may be stated at from 500 to SO of
north latitude. The mean temperature OF this
zone may be rated at from 800 to G00 Fahrenheit
As animals, we know, are diffused over the globe
first according to zones of climate, and second, ac
co1ding to degrees of longitude; and as we know
that 'Scamel land' and the United States are in-
cluded in the same zones Of climate; and further,
as the secondary arrangement (by longitude) is OF
trivial Importance, your correspondent is right in
his supposition ''that the camel would flourish in
any latitude within the United States .....i
The cost of good, serviceable camel, landed at
Mobile or Pensacola, may be put down at from
$3.50 to S200-not more, | think, if the purchase
and transportation are judiciously managed. The
greatest expense in general will be in the freight.
In any project, therefore, for the introduction Of
the animal, this must be the main item for close
calculation. So far the voyage is concerned,
there need be no apprehension, for L know OF no
animal SO little troublesome and SO comfortable at
sea as the camel. speak from toerably large
experience in the transportation of horses and
mules during our war with Mexico So far as the
motion of the vessel goes, whether in calm or In
gale, one hundred camels would not cause much
anxiety or give as much trouble as ten horses. ag
The camel does not consume more food than. a
horse or mule; prefers coarser diet; satisfies itself
either with scanty grazing or browsing; requires
feeding but once day, being ruminant; and
would be with difficulty distressed for water. 1t
requires 10 close stable, onyea shed protecting 1t
from cold northery winds and from falling wealth
er; and requires no grooming, though certainly
healthier and better, like all other animals for a
clean skin The camel is undoubtedly a harder
and tougher animal than the horse; not surpassed,
if equaled in these respects by the mule; and with
half the forage Of either, and with two or three
hours grazing browsing, can be kept IN good
condition. In addition to the economy of forage
the use of the camels saves the outlay for wagons,
and carts harness. shoes and the necessary repairs
of them. The pack-saddle being so simple in its
construction as to be readily made the panta-
tion it's cost will be but trihing. Its weight more
over compared with that of a wagon cart, in
creases the physical energy devoted to the trans
portation of goods For short distances, say about
plantation or for six miles on the road,
strong camel will carry on an average from eight
hundred to one thousand pounds. The Ilulua OF
Asia Minor the produce of the doublehumped
Bactran male on the single-humped Arabian fe-
male, will average for the same distances, from one
thousand to fifteen hundred pounds. All of the
statements in my official report of what was done
by the camels under my direction in Texas are
made from accurate weights and closely computed
distances. ..f s-.. .-.-s. ...
In Egypt [ have seen the camel used In cities
and in the country on plantations, in fields and on
the road for every purpose that horses and mules
are used for with US. have seen them transport
ing bricks and broken stone from yards and quar-
ries for buildings sleepers, rafters, scantling,
boards for flooring &c. | have seen them carry
ing chopped straw corn, cotton, fodder, merchaD-
die of all kinds men, women and children, and,
with their burdens, stepping inteligentIy and with
sure-footedness into and out Of clumsy ferry boats.
And have seen them usefully occupied in carry
ing burdens the dams and check banks OF rice
plantations. Is there anything more than these
uses that our plantations and farms require? a
As southern man, from a cotton, corn and rice
growing section 1 believe that in many respects
we might use camels with advantage in our agri-
cultural labors, while pulling corn or fodder, IN
picking cotton, in transporting them to the barn
or in-house, in. carrying seed, manure, ffe-wood
&c, about the plantation, and in transporting
goods to fsbm the railway to market So fan
| as the negro is concerned, am satisfied, from a
knowledge of the nature and habits of both, that
no animal better suited to him in all respects than
the camel can be given to his management.
+ .l ..-.. HENRY G.. WAYNE,
| 81 .us.t -..... Major United States Army