TEANSPOBTATIOir. 93 



ential and intelligent gentlemen was appointed to confer 

 ■with the officers of the railroad companies, and endeavor 

 to make a satisfactory arrangement. Several conferences 

 took place accordingly, and a reduction nearly equival- 

 ent to ten cents per basket was obtained for the year, 1868. 

 But as there were no peaches that year, it amounted to 

 no practical advantage. It was not satisfactory, anyhow, 

 to a large portion of the peach growers, and very justly 

 so; for the charges were still extortionate, and totally 

 unjustifiable on any principle of right and wrong; being 

 about four times as much as for any other freight of its 

 class. Indeed the object of the railroad companies 

 seemed to be to appropriate in the form of freights all 

 the profibs of the crop, and leave the growers only enough 

 to pay for production, picking and selling. But this un- 

 just and dishonest conduct on the part of the railroad 

 companies had the effect of arousing public indignation, 

 and directing public attention to other means of transpor- 

 tation. It was soon found that most of the fruit could 

 be sent much cheaper and in much better order by water; 

 and now lines of steamers are forming between New York 

 and Philadelphia, and the several harbors on the bay-side. 

 In order that interior growers may reach the bay, a steam- 

 tug is to be employed in every creek to convey schooners 

 and other small craft down the creeks to the principal 

 stations. By this means most of the fruit can be carried 

 to the great cities in good time, in better order, and 

 much cheaper than if sent by rail. The rates have not 

 yet been permanently fixed, but it is believed they will 

 not vary much from fifteen cents per basket to New York, 

 or a little over half what they are by railroad. For seven 

 years prior to 1889, no peaches have been carried to 

 New York by water. 



Besides this, there are new lines of roads building, 

 which will afford still greater facilities, and reduction of 

 freights. 



