65

INFLUENCE OF RAILROADS AND CANALS AS AFFECTING THE MAR-
KET VALUE OF WHEAT AND CORN.

The following calculation shows the effect upon the market
value of a tou of wheat and corn transported on railroads,

canals and wagon roads. The cost of transportation upon
railroads 'is assumed at 1 3/4cents per ton per mile;

canals, 1 2/10 cents; and wagon roads, at 15 cents per ton
per mile. In a ton of wheat of 2,240 pounds; there are
37 1/3 bushels, and 40 bushels in a ton of corn, and the
value assumed in market for the former is $56 25, or $1 50
per bushel, and the latter $30, or/ 75 cents per bushel.

The above calculations show that wheat, 50 miles from
market, is worth 18 cents more per bushel upon the line of a
railroad, and 19 cents more, if upon a canal, than if sent to
market over the average first-class wagon roads; and at 375
miles from market, while the entire value of a bushel of

wheat is absorbed in the cost of transportation over a wagon
xoad, the cost by railroad has only reduced it 17 cents, and
by canal only 12 cents per bushel. Corn, 200 miles from
market, by wagon road, is just equal, in value, to the cost of
transportation, while the same distance by railroad, its value
is only reduced 10 cents; and by canal only six cents per

bushel.
8*