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tion, it winds up the cable and drags the plow toward it, and when it reaches that side of the field it turns around, and the reverse action of the other motor repeats the operation. The plow moves rapidly across the field, turning the dark, fresh furrows of soil as smoothly as the old hand plow. Each time the trip is made across the field the electric motors are moved an equal distance away from the last furrows.

The second type of electric plow is run by a movable motor attached to the plow itself. The cable is fixed to an anchor on the opposite side of the field, and the electric motor follows this cable, dragging the heavy plow with it. Through a rather elaborate system of machinery, the farmer manages to guide the plow across the field to suit himself, cutting the new furrows in a line as straight as a crow flies. The small cultivators and harrows are propelled in a similar way. They are either attached to the heavy cables, or they run by means of a small electric motor that can be removed from them in a few moments.

In the great barns of the new model farm, huge threshing machines, fanning mills, corn shellers, hay and feed choppers and similar implements are run by the electric current that comes over the wires from the power house. Night and day the threshers hum and sing to a tune more lively than ever before heard on a farm, and as fast as the grain pours out of the screens it is carried to the fanning mills, where the chaff is separated from it. The great hay and grain reapers and binders are propelled by the same invisible power, supplied to them by movable cables or overhead wires. The hay is loaded on the broad-tired, eight-wheel trucks, and carted to the barns to be deposited in the loft by overhead tramways.

Even the weeding is accomplished by electricity. The force that stimulates plant growth and gives motive power to all the machinery can also kill and destroy. Electrocution is ap

plied to the weeds just as successfully as to prisoners in our jails. The delicate current of electricity may give life and vigor to plant life, but a powerful current destroys every germ of life, animal or vegetable. In the spring of the year the new weed destroyer goes over the field and annihilates weeds, insects and larvæ. As the vehicle moves along a series of many wire brushes drags on the earth and kills everything that comes into contact with it. A field overgrown with rank weeds can thus be cleared in a comparatively short time of every noxious growth. Death is just as sure and sudden as if each plant received a lightning stroke from the summer clouds. The weeder goes over the field after a storm, so that the wet stalks will act as more perfect conductors.

There comes from Buda-Pesth the first electric tree destroyer; the farmer who has extensive woodlands to clear finds science ready to help him in this respect. The tree-destroying machines were invented to fell the giant trees in the forests of Galicia. They are comparatively simple in their construction, but veritable giants in their operations. A small motor carried upon a movable truck is drawn up to the noble product of the forest and secured to it by chains and steel clamps. The automatic saw-chisel is next put in position, and when the electric current is turned on it eats its way rapidly into the huge trunk and nearly severs it in two. While the machine is being adjusted to another tree, the first one is easily pulled over by ropes and sawed up by a huge saw operated by another motor.

To complete the picture of the model farm, the owner should travel from one part of the extensive estate to another in his automobile victoria or upon a motor bicycle. Where electricity can be obtained so cheaply, thousands of the newest inventions can be introduced without difficulty. In his spacious living quarters his wife. no longer stews over obstinate wood

or coal fires; she simply turns on the electric current when needed and cooks the dinner without fuss or worry. Electric fans turned by the power that cooks her dinner and lights her house make the atmosphere of the midsummer day delightful and refreshing. There is no longer any triweekly churning to try one's temper, for the near-by creamery converts the cream into butter by the latest and most approved methods. Even the drinking water is pumped up from artesian wells by electricity, and supplied in a cool and refreshing stream to all who ask for it.

The model farm thus electrically installed must naturally be a mammoth affair, for all the improvements and inventions required can only pay for themselves when operated upon a large scale. But a farm ten miles square can be conducted with less labor and less friction by the new method than a hundred-acre one could by the slow systems of past years. Distance has been annihilated on the place by the introduction of the electric motors, and one may ride around his farm before noon and in

spect all the works without half the labor formerly required. Good roads must of necessity run in all directions, cutting the farm up into large sections, so that any part of it can be reached in a comparatively short time.

The difficulty of finding streams of water large enough to produce all the electricity needed on such a farm will occur to those living in the great prairie regions; but now that science has found a way to conduct the electric current a long distance, this obstacle is easily overcome. The water power of the Niagara, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Spokane, the Columbia and many smaller rivers may be employed to manufacture the electricity for agricultural purposes. The current can be conducted through the rich farming regions, and distributed. to all willing to pay for it. The cost to each individual would be much less than half what is now required to run the steam plows, threshing machines, reapers and other heavy farm implements. The money saved on the board of horses would alone pay for the use of the electric power.

A BUSINESS TRIP SEVENTY YEARS AGO. From the Journal of Chandler Holbrook, Edited by Herbert Elmer Mills.

HE changes in methods of transportation, travel, communication and conduct of business, which have been part of our century's industrial revolution, have been described and commented upon to a degree almost tiresome; but in spite of all that has been said, perhaps many of us do not fully appreciate these changes, because we have no contact with the life of the past, no adequate comprehension of that which has been supplanted. The mere sight of a

canal boat or an old stagecoach is often more instructive and suggestive. than pages of description and statistics. A few pages of Arthur Young illuminate and make real to us much that we are told by economic historians. There has recently fallen into my hands through the kindness of Mr. Henry Booth of Poughkeepsie a manuscript account of a business trip made seventy years ago, that is similarly instructive, because such a graphic picture of the past. It contains many observations upon the state of manufactures, the general economic development of the

country, and the condition of the factory operatives in the early part of this century, that are worthy of record.

In 1827-28 Chandler Holbrook of Poughkeepsie was sent by the Manhattan Fire Insurance Company of New York to make a survey of the textile factories in the greater part of the eastern United States. It might be assumed that he was not appointed without some qualifications for the work, and we have his own statement: "I have been somewhat acquainted with manufactures for eighteen years." He continually shows himself a careful, independent and trained observer. The manuscript consists of his private diary and of copies of letters sent to the president of the company. The first record in his diary is October 27, 1827, and the last letter is dated October 3, 1828.

"I left the city on the 26th of October, 1827. Arriving at Poughkeepsie, I took my horse and gig and proceeded to Sharon in Connecticut, and in a direction through that state to Springfield in Massachusetts, then up the Connecticut River to Northfield, where I crossed into New Hampshire. Then, visiting every factory of any notoriety in that state, I proceeded to Saco in Maine, and on to Winthrop, about ten miles above Hallowell, on the Kennebec. Returning through Portland, Portsmouth and Boston, I then bent my way to Thompson in Connecticut and, pursuing a circuitous route, I again found myself in Worcester County in Massachusetts, and after a stay of several days among the manufactures there I again returned to Connecticut and by way of Hartford, New Haven, etc., returned to New York. My next tour was up the east side of the Hudson to Troy and Schaghticoke, from thence to Bennington, Vermont, then to Glens Falls on the Hudson and down to Waterford, thence to Schenectady and westward to Oneida County, northward to Watertown and Brownville, then to Auburn and west to Rochester. From this place I went

to the falls of Niagara and returned to Rochester and, by way of Manlius, Chittengo, etc., to Utica, from there to Otsego County and down the west side of the Hudson through the counties of Greene, Ulster, Orange and Rockland to New York.

"My last journey was direct to Baltimore, and after visiting all the factories within twenty miles of that city, which comprise all of any notoriety in Maryland, I returned and made similar examinations in Delaware and Pennsylvania. Except those in Trenton, I have seen none in New Jersey. Thus I have been through the various parts of the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland, and also crossed the Niagara River into Canada. By reference to my journal of courses and distances I find that I have travelled 4,628 miles. . . . The number of factories visited is of cotton 143 and of woollen 28."

This itinerary is significant because it indicates roughly the textile manufacturing districts of the country at that time. His average daily journey, omitting Sundays, was only about sixteen miles. The average is lower than it would have been because of many delays on account of the weather and because of one or two short vacations. Still his usual day's journey, when he was actually at work, was not over twenty or thirty miles. Nor was this due to idleness, for he was a most industrious worker, often writing until after eleven o'clock until eyes or candles gave out. The entire work done in the year could be done now in a few weeks, probably. Another inconvenience was the slowness of communication, waiting for directions being not infrequent and letters always uncertain in their arrival.

Nearly all the journey was made by means of his own horse and gig. His accounts of the roads recall the emphatic language of Arthur Young's Tours. "Intolerable rough," "tremen

dous bad," "most awful bad" are common descriptions, while "Mechanicsville to Waterford is the worst road I have ever seen," and the road from Rochester, New York, to Whitesboro is "intolerably bad." It took three days' hard driving to cover the sixtyeight miles between New York and Matteawan in February. Saturday, May 3, "Left Onandagua and rode to Syracuse to breakfast. This being a rainy day, as usual for many days past, put up for the day. The constant bad roads for a long distance and hard driving have fairly beat out my poor little horse. He is as poor as a snake and his spirits have entirely failed him, in addition to which his back and breast are badly galled. The roads from Rochester to this place have been intolerable." No wonder he wrote his employer: "Until there is a new coinage of words, I shall be unable to find any one that will convey any idea of the bad roads that I have had to encounter." Occasional mention of a log road is made, and one near Rome, New York, was twenty miles long. Two or three times he took advantage of steamboats, as between Troy and Albany, Baltimore and Philadelphia, and Philadelphia and Wilmington. The steamboat seems to have lost its novelty, for he mentions it casually, although possibly it was regarded as a somewhat dangerous means of conveyance, for he says: "After dinner took the steamboat for Philadelphia, where I arrived." Once or twice, as at Morristown, New Jersey, the canal boat was available. Holbrook took the stage from New York at six in the morning and reached Philadelphia at nine or ten in the evening; but the return was not so expeditious, for he says: "Left Philadelphia for New York about eleven A. M. Before we arrived at Princeton we capsized our coach with seven passengers-one was badly hurt. Poor I again got my head bruised. We lodged that night at Princeton. Sunday at seven we left Princeton-the travelling very

bad-did not arrive in New York until nearly eight P. M."

Accidents were perhaps not so serious as in these days of railroad travel, but they were frequent in proportion to the distance travelled. "My horse got loose and ran about a mile over a rough, hilly road to the meetinghouse, where he was stopped by a man and brought back. The cushion was lost, but no other damage appears to have befallen us, that is, me and my horse and gig-no upsetting or breaking anything. My cushion was returned me in the evening. My expense for bringing back horse, gig and cushion, seventy-nine cents." "In leaving Falmouth, it being very dark and slippery, I unfortunately capsized my gig and came with my head to the ground and was somewhat bruised and three slight cuts nearly through the skin on my temple. With much difficulty my horse was extricated, and not being able to ascertain how much damage was sustained and my head bleeding, I concluded to remain there. for the night. . . . My capsize has caused me some pain and I have felt quite indisposed all day. My damage was in a pecuniary point but seventyfive cents, but how long I shall go with my head bound up is uncertain. I shall leave Maine without regret.' Town streets were not of the best. "In riding [horseback] along the streets of Lansingburgh, my horse suddenly started, and down came 'Pil Garlic' where the mud was almost knee deep. Never was a more awful predicament seen. I was flat on my back, my horse jumping, one foot in the stirrup, which soon came to the ground or rather the mud. Keeping fast hold the bridle, I supported myself, and found when I was fairly up I had not been fairly in the mud. I let my horse take care of himself and I sculled to the shore or rather pavement." There were other hindrances. "In crossing the Androscoggin I was detained an hour and one-quarter, exposed to severe cold, and it was dangerous getting in and out of the

boat"; and at another ferry in Maine, "it was very difficult to get on board the scow on account of the ice." On January 21 he was not able to cross the Connecticut on account of floating ice. Occasionally he lost his way.

Of the inns he has comparatively little to say, except that he went to a "publick house." In York, Maine, he wrote: "This I can say with truth was the most indifferent public house I have found since I left home." On January 16 he "put up at the United States Hotel" in Hartford, Connecticut, but the next day went to the City Hotel; "the United States Hotel charges too high for me. One dollar twelve one-hundredths more than I paid for the same time and better accommodation in Portsmouth, N. H." As already indicated, Mr. Holbrook was not fond of Maine. In one letter indicating his route, he says: "Into Maine and out of it as soon as convenient." Again, "I cannot hear of much in Maine, and am doubtful whether a journey below Saco will be of any advantage"; and finally, "I am much pleased with your request to leave this part of the country, and shall start immediately."

But there was a brighter side to his journey. On November 12 he wrote that, notwithstanding the bad roads, he had made 650 miles in the four weeks past. Sometimes the roads were "very good" or "quite tolerable." "I rode on to Wells, nine miles, the most of the way in view of the blue waves of ocean. At Wells is a beautiful view of the water, the waves rolling in upon the beach in the most sublime grandeur. A few fishing boats were riding apparently at ease.

Fish

are here caught in abundance-the finest of rock cod. From this place commenced a good road; and from this place to Kennebunk, 10 miles, I rode in one hour. At Kennebunk I stopped and had an excellent dinner; remained an hour and a half and left for Saco, distance ten miles, which I rode in one and a quarter hours."

"Left the Syracuse House-one of

the most elegant hotels in the United States. The main building is four stories, standing on a corner of the intersection of two streets, having two wings extending which form an obtuse angle. These are two stories. The whole is of brick painted white. On both fronts of the main building is a portico and railing for each story; on the roof a handsome balustrade, and on the top of the building a cupola with a bell. The rooms are well furnished and the hotel well kept and charges moderate." Courtesy to strangers seems to have been frequently lacking. In Newmarket, New Hampshire, "a gentleman observing I was a stranger accosted me at the door and invited me to walk into the reading-room opposite. I cordially accepted his invitation and tendered him my most hearty thanks for such unusual politeness." But Mr. Holbrook seems to have had little time for pleasures. "This evening for a great variety was spent in social intercourse with an elderly gentleman"; and after two months' travel his diary says, "Passed an hour or two very pleasantly, being the only social hours I have spent with one exception." But in February, while examining Baldwin and Wild's factory in Kinderhook, he writes: "Was very politely requested to dine with Mr. Wild, who also requested my staying with him as long as I shall stay in the village. The same request was made by Mr. Baldwin, with whom I took supper. have never met with such particular attention since I commenced my peregrinations." At Watertown he "went for a short time into the ballroom, where was music and dancing"; and at Rochester "went to the circus, where was a very full house." In Windham, Connecticut, New Year's day, 1828, he "in the evening went down to the ballroom for a short time, and was very politely received by the company, a good list provided for me, politely urged to partake of the supper and other refreshments. This was a large party, nearly one hundred

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