ECOlSrOMTCAL TUAXSPORTATION, 225 



matei'ial. About nine tons can be carried each trip, 

 and one hour is required to go 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 thi.s method, 

 even in the most extraordinary cases, on account of the 

 first expenditure. Evidently there are many ch-cum- 

 stances under which it is impossible to establish a 

 track, to carry to the factory the roots that farmers 

 would 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 Transportation. — Two methods have been 

 adopted, 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 fiist 

 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 I'opes, each of these moving in opposite di- 

 rections. The supports on which they pass have small 



