HYDROLOGY OF NEW YOKK 



865 



to $4 per acre. If such lands were effectually drained, so that 

 they could be cultivated every year, they would be the most val- 

 uable in the State, and worth at least $60 per acre. But in order 

 to make them of this value, even after the drainage is accom- 

 plished, they must be cleared and put in shape for cultivation, 

 which will require a large amount of labor in addition to the 

 drainage. Assuming them to cost, with some of the adjacent low 

 flatlands, an average of $5 per acre, the net gain would be $55 per 

 acre, amounting for 380 square miles to $13,370,500. It is difficult 

 to say what the cost of the drainage would be, although it is 

 doubtful if it would cost, including fitting them for cultivation, 

 more than $30 per acre, or for the entire area, the total cost may 

 possibly be $7,293,000, leaving a net profit on the transaction of 

 $6,077,500. This expense should be borne partly by the land 

 owners and partly by the State, the proportion to be fixed on 

 further consideration. There is no good reason why the State 

 should not inaugurate an improvement like this. 



THE PAPER INDUSTRY IN NEW YORK 



In view of the fact that the paper industry in this State is 

 almost entirely dependent upon water-power for its profitable 

 operation, the following chapter is included. 



According to the Twelfth Census (1900) out of a total capital 

 invested in the paper industry in the United States of $167,507,- 

 713, there was invested in the State of New York $37,349,390, or 

 about 224- per cent of the total capital invested in the whole 

 country. 



The total cost of materials used in this industry in New York 

 in 1900 was $14,563,222, of which there were 225,327 cords of 

 domestic spruce used for ground pulp, which cost $1,260,593, or 

 at the average rate of $5.60 per cord. Domestic spruce for sul- 

 phite and soda fiber was used to the extent of 138,098 cords, 

 costing $724,822. Canadian spruce was used for ground pulp to 

 the extent of 54,923 cords, while for sulphite and soda fiber 

 there were 86,606 cords of Canadian spruce used. 



In addition to the preceding, 51,208 cords of Canadian poplar 

 wood and other woods were used. The total use of wood, there- 

 fore, was 556,162 cords. 



