EXPRESS BUSINESS 195 



stations of some roads, under the supervision of an expert in this 

 line. This encourages ornamental gardening in the villages and 

 cities along the road. Some roads maintain nurseries in the prairie 

 states, where young trees, fitted to the climate, are sold at very 

 low prices to farmers. Farmers are encouraged to plant such 

 trees as will protect and beautify their farmstead. 



It is to be earnestly hoped that the railroads will develop two 

 additional lines of cooperation with farmers in certain wide sections 

 of the country. (1) Crude material for road building, such as gravel, 

 is lacking in many sections and can only be shipped in at prohibit- 

 ive costs. (2) Farm labor cannot flow to the fields where needed 

 owing to heavy charges for passenger fare. These two situations 

 should be understood and adjusted by the railroad companies. 



Express Business. The express companies utilize all forms of 

 transportation. They have grown into their present position of 

 prominence and power by rendering a special kind of service. The 

 historical growth of these companies is interesting. The federal 

 government has published a special census report on this subject, 

 prepared by R. H. Snead, 1 from which the following information 

 is gleaned. 



The beginning of the express business goes back to 1839, when 

 one William F. Harnden, valise in hand, made four trips a week 

 between New York and Boston carrying valuables and small 

 packages for his customers. There was a demand on the part of 

 the public for such a service, consequently a number of small 

 companies were soon engaged in express business. The American 

 Express Company was formed in 1850; in 1854 there were formed 

 the United States and the Adams Express Companies. An express 

 company, says one writer, purchases the right of transportation 

 at wholesale and sells it at retail. In addition to transportation, 

 calling for packages, and delivery of packages, the express com- 

 panies now render among other services the following: issue money 

 orders and letters of credit; exchange foreign money; enter and 

 clear goods at custom houses. 



"Ever on the alert to extend its business, long before the railroad reached 

 a new section of the country, an express company would have an established 

 service by means of stage or pack animals. Indeed, no more romantic or 

 interesting figures are to be found in the history of the West than the Pony 

 Express Riders, who carried letters and valuables across half a continent." 



Railroad companies now furnish and haul the necessary cars 

 for the express business on the contract basis, the express company 



Bureau of Census. Special Report Express Business in the United 

 States, 1907. 



