I also purpose to say something on what I consider the best mode of packing, the weight suitable for each animal, and the relative gain or loss that might result from this method of transportation, as compared with transportation by wagon.  In the first place, packing ought never to be resorted to, because it cannot be done with profit, where the roads are good and wagons and animals are to be had.  In mountains, over deserts and plains of sand, where forage is scant, and water only to be had at long intervals, then the pack is a necessity, and can be used with profit.  Let it be understood, also, that in packing, the Spanish pack-mule, as as well as saddle, is the most suitable.  Second:  The Spanish method of packing is, above all others, the most ancient, the best and most economical.  With it the animal can carry a heavier burden with less injury to himself.  Third:  The weight to be packed, under ever so favorable circumstances, should never be over four hundred and fifty pounds.  Fourth:  The American pack-saddle is a worthless thing, and should never be used when any considerable amount of weight is required to be packed.

If I had previously entertained any doubt in regard to this American pack-saddle, it was removed by what came under my observation three years ago.  While employed in the quartermasters’ depot, at Washington, D.C., as superintendent of the General Hospital Stables, we at one time received three hundred mules, on which the experiment of packing with this saddle had been tried in the Army of the Potomac.  It was said this was one of General Butterfield’s experiments.  These animals presented no evidence of being packed more than once; but such was the terrible condition of their backs that the whole number required to be placed at once under medical treatment.  Officers of the army who knew Dr. Braley, know how invariably successful he has been in the treatment of Government animals, and how carefully he treats them.  Yet, in spite of all his skill, and with the best of shelter, fifteen of these animals died from mortification of their wounds and injuries of the spine.  The remainder were a very long time in recovering, and when they did, their backs, in many cases, were scarred in such a manner as to render them unfit ever after for being used for a similar purpose.  The use of the American pack-saddle, and lack of knowledge on the part of those in charge as to what mules were suitable for packing, did this.  The experienced packer would have seen at a glance that a large portion of these mules were utterly unfit for the business.  The experiment was a wretched failure, but cost the Government some thousands of dollars.

I ought to mention, however, that the class of mules on which this experiment was tried were loose, leggy animals, such as I have heretofore described as being almost unfit for any branch of Government service.  But, by all means, let the Government abandon the American pack-saddle until some further improvements are made in it.