252 RURAL l^'EW YORK 



Falls. The most notable series of locks is at Water- 

 ford near Troy where the five locks have a combined 

 lift of 1G9 feet. Another unique feature is the mov- 

 able dams to regulate the level of water in the Mo- 

 hawk Eiver, The total cost of this system of canals 

 is $150,000,000, borne by the State ^f New York. 

 If the Hudson Kiver below Troy is included with the 

 canal system, a strij) of country within two miles of 

 the waterway on either side includes 731/2 per cent 

 of the population of the State and within twenty miles 

 is 87 per cent of the population. Naturally, the 

 slower transit makes the canal suited to only the less 

 perishable staple crops that may move slowly to 

 market. The hundred and fifty million dollars that 

 will ultimately be expended on these canals and their 

 terminals to enlarge tliem to power barge capacity 

 with a depth of twelve feet and a width of seventy- 

 five feet, will make a system of waterways that will 

 be especially serviceable in the transfer of heavy 

 products from the West through the Great Ijakes. 

 But its value for the movement of farm produce is 

 problematic. The big disadvantage of transportation 

 througl) the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Eiver 

 by way of the Welland Canal between Erie and On- 

 tario lakes is the fact that the upper course of the 

 river is closed by ice from October to May. 



The rates and operation of railroads within the 

 State come under the supervision of the Public Serv- 

 ice Commission, which exercises a potent influence to 

 secure reasonable service. By investigation of de- 

 lays and improper practices, this Commission has ad- 



