Smyrna times., 1873-10-01
For the "Times.
Fruit transportation.

The Delaware Railroad has not only been
the means of developing the country through
which 1t passes, but has been the most etfec-
tive agency to make fruit growing a success.
The too perishable nature of the commodity
does not, will not, admit of delay, therefore
steam transportation becomes an absolute ne
cessity. But glance at the map shows that
no one route need be in this abs )lute neces-
sity-a still more absolute monopoly. Granted
that railroad which, by reason OF the aid 1t
affords in seeking a market, has the right to
create and enjoy a lucrative Northern and
North Eastern trade; it does so only from the
conscious knowledge ct being the most avail
able To be effective it must, apart from its
corporate dividends, conform to the individual
interests of the people that it intends to serve.
This while in the full sway of monopoly, is
perhaps asking too much. But, under the
stimulus of powerful opposition, the mark is
nearer reached. The New Jersey Southern,
skirting diagOnally across Southern New Jer-
sey, crossing the Delaware Rail Road at right
angles, seeking the Chesapeaks through Mary
land, aud, by its very eccentrcity, taping the
finest and falrest portion of three great fruit
growing States, is building, apart from its far
Southern trade, fine Northern and North
Eastern trade, thus virtually conserving to the
interest of fruit growers. And this, too, by
the reduction in the freight tariff, necessary
Railroad. Thus much for one bright CLEAN
for the future. But then the New Jersey
Southern cannot at all arrest from the Della
ware road her Philadelphia trade; but rather
will aid her by thisformula. New York prices
for fluit exceed, in their general average, those
of Philadelphia consequently all who can will
ship to New York. Philadelphia, however,
with her large manufacturing population, must
have fruit, but, with the surplus going to New
York, prices must be advanced in Philadelphia,
and hence growers will ship their choicest
fruit to the markets offering the best prices,
which will just as readily be Philadelphia as
New. York under the opposition. And finally,
transportation will really conserve to the inter-
est of growers by reducing their freight charges
and enhancing the market prices. Again ask
ing the reader to look at the map, we find that
the whole eastern front Of the State is washed
by the waters of the Delaware bay. Indent-
ing and placed at regular intervals along its
entire length are the creeks. These creeks,
being navigable at some distance their length
for vessels drawing 5 or 6 feet of water, drain
and are available to considerable portions of
the country. Had the fruit crop of the pres
ent season been like that of so, and had the
break down under the terrific rains occurred
the consequences would have been most disas
trous fairly proving that to make even one OIL
more lines of railroads effective their must be
as auUlllares IN case OF emergency, powerful
screw propellers, built expressly to carry fruit
and placed on these creeks Not since the
first tree has been planted has there been run
ming on the Delaware a steamboat built
expressly for what it has been needed. 1t is
true there is, and have been, boats placed on
in the season, but they were not of the kind
needed. Side wheel STEAMBOATS, are not at al
calculated to navigate, with any thing like
cargo, these narrow, winding creeks. As ar
auxiliary to the railroads these must be long
narrow, Igkt.draught screw propeers, with
machinery powerful enough to drive them
with 10000 baskets of peaches, against vino
and tide, at least twelve miles an hour. Will
such boat, say in Smyrna creek, the bolt, il
conjunction with the railroads, would effec
tually solve, for this vicinity, the question o
effective we'll organized transportation. Max
ing the trip at night the fruit under the coo
breezes of the bay, is landed at the very bus
iness centre of the city, in as equally good
condition as when taken from the orchard
And then enough of the boat ought to b,
owned here to so control her movements as t
place her on soon enough to take early fruit
or in other words, to be at all times perma
nent steam packet.