SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
THE CAMEE— HIS NATURE, HABITS, AND 
Uses. 
Washington, Nov. 29, 1858 
To the Editors of the National InteUigencer : 
Gentlemen : I observed in the National Intelligencer 
of the 24th inst, a re- publication of an article from the 
Alaba,ma Sentinel “On the Uses of Camels,” by a corres- 
pondent who signs himself “Jatros.” The purpose of the 
article is to induce inquiry as to the usefulness of the camel 
in the production of corn and cotton, and on our planta- 
tions generally. Having been occupied now 10 years 
with the experiment of introducing the camel into this 
country, permit me to offer, tl>rough your columns, brief- 
ly, to “Jatros” and other inquirers, a few of the results of 
reading, observation, and thought upon these points. To 
do so concisely, and at the same time sufficiently, I will 
follow them in their order, as presented by your corres- 
pondent. 
The climative range of the camel, within which he has 
been known, indisputably, to live, thrive, and be useful, 
may be stated at from 50° to 52° of north longitude. The 
mean temperature of this zone may be rated at from 50° 
to 68° Fahrenheit. As animals, we know, are diffused 
over the globe, first, according to zones of climate, and, 
second, according to degrees of longitude; and as we 
know that “camel land” and the United States are includ- 
ed in the same zones of climate ; and as, further, the 
secondary order of arrangement (by longitude) is but of 
trivial importance, your correspondent is right in his 
supposition “that the camels would flourish in any lati- 
tude within the United States.” 
The cost of a camel, a good, serviceable one, landed 
at Mobile orPensicola, may be put down at from S150 to 
S200— not more, I think, if the purchase and transporta- 
tion 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 as the voyage is con- 
cerned, there need be no apprehension, for I know of no 
animal so little trouble at sea as the camel. I speak from 
a tolerably 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 as much anxiety or give 
as much trouble as ten horses. 
The camel does not consume more food than a horse or 
mule; prefers a coarser diet ; satisfies itself readily with 
either scanty grazing or browsing ; requires feeding but 
once a day, being a ruminant ; and would be with diffi- 
culty distressed for water. It requires no close stable ; 
only a shed protecting it from cold northerly winds and 
from falling weather ; and requires no grooming, though 
certainly healthier and better, like all other animals, for a 
clean skin. The camel is undoubtedly a hardier and 
tougher animal than the horse ; not surpassed, if equalled, 
in these respects, by the mule ; and with half the forage 
of either, and with two or three hours grazing or brows- 
ing, ean be kept in condition. In addition to the econo- 
my of forage, the use of camels saves the outlay for 
wagons and carts, harness, shoes, and the necessary re- 
pairs of them. The pack-saddle being so sinple in its 
construction as to be readily made on the plantations, its 
cost will be but a trifle. Its weight, moreover, compared 
with that of a wagon or cart, increases the physical en- 
ergy devoted to the transportation of goods. For short 
distances, say about a plantation, or for six or eight miles 
on the road, a strong camel will carry, on an average, 
from eight hundred to one thousand pounds. The Tiulus 
-of Asia Minor, the produce of the double-humped Bactrian 
male on the single humped Arabian female, will average, 
for the same distances, from one thousand lo fifteen hun- 
dred pounds. All of the statements in my official report 
of what was done by the camels under my direction in 
Texas are made frotn accurate weights and closely com- 
puted distances. 
So far, the general advantages from using camels may 
be summed up as fellows : 
They will flourish as well in the United States as either 
horses or mules. 
They may be introduced at Mobile or Pensacola at rates 
not greater, certainly not much greater, than present 
prices for good mules. 
They are not as expensive to feed as horses or mules. 
They require no close stables nor grooming. 
They are as tough and as hardy as either horses or 
mules. 
They save a heavy outlay for wagons, carts, harness, 
and shoes, and a constant tax for their repairs. 
Their physical energy is not largely drawn upon {di 
the draught of a wagon or cart, and therefore is propor- 
tionately given more usefullp to the transportation of goods. 
They will do more work at the same cost and keeping 
than either horse or mule. 
These are the general advantages that I think may be 
fairly claimed for the camel. Now, let us examine how 
far this animal, with these advantages, may he suitable 
for our plantation or farm uses. 
In Egypt I have seen the camel used in cities and in 
the country, on plntations, in fields, and on the road, for 
every purpose that horses and mules are used with us. I 
have seen them transporting bricks and broken stone 
from yards and quarries for buildings, sleepers, rafters, 
scantling, boards for flooring, &c. 
I have seen them carrying chopped straw, corn, cotton, 
fodder, merchandise of all kinds, men, women and chil- 
dren, and with their burdens stepping intelligently and 
with sure-footedness into and out of clumsy ferry boats. 
And I have seen them usefully employed in carrying bur- 
dens on the dams and check banks of rice plantations. Is 
there anything more than these uses that our plantations 
and farms require I 
As a Southern man, from a cotton, corn, and rice grow- 
ing section, I believe that in many respects we might use 
camels with advantage in our agricultural labors, while 
pulling corn or fodder, or picking cotton, in transporting 
them from the field to the barn or gin house, in carrying 
seed, manure, fire-wood, &e., about the plantation, and in 
transporting produce and goods to and from the railway, 
or market. 
So far as the negro is concerned, I am satisfied from 
a knowledge of the nature and habits of both, that no 
animal better suited to him in all respects than the camei 
can be given to his management. 
That the preceding may prove of interest enough to 
find a place in your columns, and result in benefit to our 
country, especially to that section of it we both hail from, 
is my apology for trespassing upon you. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
Henry C. Wayne, 
Major United States Army. 
» ^ < 
To Clean Sponges. — When very foul wash them in 
dilated tartaric acid, rinsing them afterwards in water; it 
will make them very soft and white. Be carful to dilute 
the acid well, as it is very corrosive, and therefore, should 
be weak. 
I^^Time is the most precious, and yet the most 
brittle jewel we have; it is what every man bids largely 
for, when he wants it, but squanders it away when he 
it- - 
