ARBORICULTURE 



397 



Navigation of Western Rivers. 



The President of the United States, 

 in company with a large delegation, has 

 recently inspected the Western Rivers, 

 to determine the methods which may 

 be employed to increase the depth of 

 w^estern navigable rivers, so as to se- 

 cure a fourteen feet stage of water dur- 

 ing the entire season. 



Arboriculture has, upon various oc- 

 casions, discussed the subject and has 

 given numerous photographs illustrat- 

 ing the conditions which novs^ exist. 



We all want better facilities for trons- 

 portation of freight by water, and de- 

 sire as deep a channel and as regular 



flow^ as science can devise, and hope 

 this may be secured. 



But it is a great misfortune that the 

 President and his advisors could not 

 have made their inspection trip at per- 

 iod of the flood tide and see the dis- 

 tress prevailing along the entire course 

 of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and 

 their tributaries and observe the cost 

 to the people, of the annual overflows. 



Every dam and obstruction placed in 

 the bottom of the stream, must of ne- 

 cessity, increase the height of water 

 durirjg floods. 



NAVIGATION ON THE OHIO RIVER. 



WRONG COURSE PURSUED BY ENGINEERS : TEAR OUT THE 



DAMS : DREDGE OUT THE CHANNELS : DYNAMITE THE 



OBSTRUCTING LIMESTONE LEDGES : LOWER THE RIVER 



BOTTOM INSTEAD OF RAISING IT; AND AMPLE 



DEPTH WILL BE SECURED. 



