282 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



discussed. But, without questioning the economy of such pon- 

 derous rolling-stock, and the need of hauling so many empty 

 cars on our main routes, or doubting the propriety of hauling 

 magnificent hotels, with kitchens, dining-halls, parlors and state- 

 rooms, at the rate of twenty-five or thirty miles an hour, from 

 New York to San Francisco, we simply wish to notice a new 

 system coming into use for branch lines and those of inferior 

 traffic. With light steel rails, or wooden ones, if the others 

 cannot be afforded ; with smaller and lighter cars and locomo- 

 tives ; with some idea of making the paying load contribute to 

 the adhesion of the engine, rather than so much dead weight of 

 iron, by combining the power and vehicle in the same carriage ; 

 with tracks laid at the centre or sides of our improved high- 

 ways, or with broad driving-wheel tires running directly upon 

 the road-surface, on grades as high as the maximum that should 

 be allowed for first-class roads ; and in short, using steam on 

 our public roads as familiarly, as safely, and with as little 

 annoyance, as we now use horses. 



Already steam omnibuses are doing good service in the streets 

 of Paris, injuring the pavements less, and overcoming heavy 

 grades more easily, than other vehicles ; and steam is hauling 

 heavy loads with equal success, not only in London, but on 

 highways in benighted India ; and nothing prevents its use here 

 but our poor roads. 



The speedy improvement of our public roads, then, not only 

 for ordinary traffic, but to prepare the way for the introduction 

 of steam on the more important lines, will best meet the wants 

 of the towns not on the great thoroughfares, and enable them 

 to put their money to better use than in stocks of expensive 

 railways, which are sure never to pay them dividends, from the 

 very fact that they are called upon to invest in them ; and there 

 are chances that the big iron way may prove a way out, rather 

 than m, for their business. 



Amherst, January 28th, 1870. 



