270 NEW TRACKS IN NORTH AMERICA. 
during these periods ended in both cases in the uninhabited — 
wilds, and could scarcely have been expected to pay their 
way at all. Yet the results are most encouraging. Now that 
the line from San Francisco to Omaha is open throughout, we 
shall soon learn the solution of the problem. Experience has 
taught that, although the through traffic is generally most 
relied upon in the establishment of a line, it is the local 
traffic which proves in the end to be the most important. 
Mile for mile, the local traffic must be small throughout 
four-fifths of the distance between Omaha and San Francisco, 
unless a large business is done in the transportation of ores; _ 
yet the through traffic ought, in this exceptional case, to 
compensate fully for the deficiency. Fifteen hundred miles 
of country separate a thriving population of thirty-two — 
millions from an equally wealthy and flourishing community | 
inhabiting California, as well as the great producing nations 
of Asia—China and Japan. 
Even the passenger traffic to and from the Pacific coast 
must be enormous, and all will probably pay at least 6 cents 
per mile (from 2d. to 3d.) upon the entire distance. If the 
central line pays, the financial success of the southern one 
is certain, for the local traffic will rapidly increase as the 
comparatively fertile districts along the route become 
colonised; the through traffic will at least be shared on 
equal terms, and probably the absence of impediments from 
winter snows will give the latter in the end a decided advan- 
tage. The prospects of the northern route rest upon rather 
different grounds, and cannot yet be fairly judged; politically, 
it may be very desirable that the American Government 
should subsidise this road also, for reasons already referred 
to; and one fact is certain, that, whether these undertakings 
are destined to pay at once, or after many years, they will 
