36 RURAL XEW YORK 



The big factor in efficient aud cheap lines of travel 

 is the grade and the elevation to be overcome. 

 Every pound raised and every foot it is raised re- 

 quires a corresponding amount of power. This means 

 the consumption of fuel as well as expense in equip- 

 ment. Consequently, lines of travel seek the courses 

 of least resistance. They keep to the valleys or climb 

 the hills part way to dodge over a low divide or 

 through it in a tunnel to the next valley. The di- 

 rection and grade of the valleys determine their 

 availability for transport. Eeference to the discus- 

 sion of the topography of the State will point out the 

 practicable lines of travel. The same topographic 

 features that hamper travel have interfered with ag- 

 ricultural and industrial development, and hence 

 have put a further handicap on their expansion. All 

 the more important valleys, as well as lines of con- 

 nection across the plains, are occupied by railroads. 

 The electric road with its still greater elasticity is 

 reaching places not practicable for steam roads and 

 the motor bus and truck are still further extending 

 the service to remote regions. The prevailing north 

 and south course of the valleys in the highlands makes 

 cross country travel in the other direction circuitous 

 and difficult. Further, the first slope from the val- 

 leys is likely to be quite steep which greatly limits 

 the load and the speed of travel. The development 

 of the State and the extension of particular enter- 

 prises, especially agriculture, must be with due regard 

 for these physical limitations. 



