HYDROLOGY OF NEW YORK 



503 



an essential element in the development of that cotton manufac- 

 turing center; while upon the Blaekstone river, and many lesser 

 streams throughout the State, the existence of sites naturally 

 adapted to the erection of mills was influential in the expansion 

 of the woolen and cotton industries in the early part of the cen- 

 tury, thus laying the foundation of numerous thriving communi- 

 ties. 



In Massachusetts, Connecticut and Ehode Island a liberal 

 policy towards manufacturing has always been exercised. There 

 is a system of reservoirs practically utilizing the water power of 

 every stream, and even comparatively small brooks are in many 

 cases fully developed and are the source of wealth to the citizens.. 



There is another significant fact to be mentioned in regard to 

 the foregoing tabulations. In Connecticut, Massachusetts and 

 Rhode Island not only was the annual manufactured product per 

 capita greater than it was in Xew York in both 1900 and 1890, but 

 the real estate per capita was also greater, although the difference 

 was less in 1900 than in 1890. 



Relation of area to population. A further test of such statis- 

 tics is as to the effect upon population. If we find population 

 proportionately increased in Connecticut, Massachusetts and 

 Rhode Island, we may assume that a chief incentive has been 

 the rational encouragement of manufacturing through the opera- 

 tion of well-devised mill acts. 



According to the tabulations the population of Xew York in 

 1900 was 7,268,894; of Connecticut, 908,420; of Massachusetts, 

 2.805,346, and of Rhode Island, 428,556. Assuming that Con- 

 necticut had the same area as New York, with a population propor- 

 tionate to its present population, we would find a total population 

 for Connecticut of 9,084,200; in Massachusetts, the actual popu- 

 lation in 1900 was 2,805,346. but with the area of Xew York, the 

 proportionate population would be 16,856,000; the population of 

 Rhode Island is for an area of a little over 1053 square miles, 

 428,556; with an area forty-five times as great — the equivalent of 

 the area of Xew York — the population of Rhode Island would be 

 19.285.000. We reach, therefore, the conclusion that in Con- 

 necticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, on an actual area of 

 a little less than 14.000 square miles, with a present population 



