Railways — Their Effect on the JJgricvltural Interests. 485 
something of a substitute for an universal language. The facili- 
ties of locomotion will tend to assimilate the manners and customs 
of mankind, and strengthen those ties of union that will remove 
the causes of war. 
Over every other method of transportation they have decided 
advantages. They are more durable, and less expensive in their 
original cost and in repairs, than canals. The velocity is also much 
greater. By recent experiments in England, single cars have 
gone at the surprising rate of sixty miles within the hour. On 
canals the speed cannot, w'ithout a quadruple increase of power, 
and without endangering the banks, exceed five or six miles. 
They are applicable to all latitudes, and comparatively interrupted 
by no change of seasons; canals, on the contrary, in high latitudes, 
are frozen over in winter, and in warm climates are unhealthy, 
from the stagnancy of their waters. 
The introduction of rail roads will tend to enhance the rela- 
tive value of cultivated lands in their vicinity. Pioduce can be 
conveyed to market with much less expense, and with far greater 
expedition. The returns, too, for this produce,. will be obtained 
for less expense in the charge of transportation. If the market 
price of agricultural products is reduced by the increased quantity 
of land bought within marketing distance, the greater variety of 
articles that can be raised for market, will compensate for this re- 
duction. A farm in the vicinity of a rail road, and two hundred 
miles from market, is in value fully equal to one at forty miles 
distant, having only ordinary or turnpike roads for transportation. 
One great item of expense in the management of a farm, is the 
amount of grass and grain consumed by horses. 
In proportion as the produce is transported by rail roads, a less 
number of horses is necessary. If a farmer can dispose of one 
horse for two cows, he changes an outgo for an income. Let 
steam be successfully applied to the plow, and the horse, from 
being one of the most valuable of domestic animals, will become 
the least useful and profitable. A change would take place in 
ameliorating the condition of man, probably greater than any re- 
corded on the pages of history. There are now, many millions 
of horses, that receive their support from the cultivated portions of 
the earth. On the supposition that these were diminished one- 
half, the produce thus saved and converted to the sustenance of 
man, w^ould add much to the facilities of obtaining food. 
Rail roads will also enhance the value of property, by increas- 
ing the sites for various manufactories, and thus creating more 
markets, and nearer home. But the great benefit will consist in 
that general prosperity of the country, which increases consump- 
tion and creates new demands. 
