ECONOMICAL TRANSPORTATION. 225 



material. About nine tons can be carried each trip, 

 and one houi* is required to g'o and come, consequently 

 in ten hours ninety tons. The expense of running the 

 machine is nearly $8.00 per day, without the interest 

 of first cost and sinking fund, the loading and un- 

 loading-. 



We cannot recommend the adoption of this method, 

 even in the most extraordinary cases, on account of the 

 first expenditure. Evidently there are many circum- 

 stances under which it is impossible to establish a 

 track, to carry to the factory the roots that farmers 

 >YOuld be willing to raise for any reasonable sum, as the 

 general formation of the surrounding country, hills, 

 rivers, etc., varies. 



An ingenious plan was soon thought of, which con- 

 sisted in having a wire rope suspended in the air. 



Aerial Transporiation. — Two methods have been 

 adojited, in the first the movement is given to the rope, 

 while in the second the rope is stationary. 



1. Hodgson's Idea, ' This will give perfect satisfac- 

 tion at distances as great as six, eight, or even more 

 miles. At the factory of Bazin, Letrilliart & Co. 

 the rope has a length of over six miles. The first 

 cost, including drums, supports, various machines, 

 etc., may be estimated at $2000 per kilometre. The 

 movement is given by the engine (10 H. P.) to the 

 main drum (which is horizontal) ; this is transmitted 

 to the two ropes, each of these moving in opposite di- 

 rections. The supports on which they pass have small 



