New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-08
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
CANAL ECONOMY.

Is TT NECESSARY TO DEFER USING THE CANALS e.
TIL THE FROST Is OUT OF THE GRoUNDf
TO the Edftor Of The Trtbune.
SIR: In THE TRIBUNE of Friday last there
editorial upon the announcement that our state
canals to be opened for navigation May - fol
lowed by comment to the effect that owing 10 the
verify OF the recent weather the canal banks s full
Of frost and the water could not b. let in earlier than
this date without imminent danger to the banks Now.
in the management OF the canals 40 much
a matter Of comment and consideration. IL would seera
pertinent 10 inquire II there could not be some improve
mcnt made in this important matter OF opening fhcn.
and whether 1t IL indeed necessary u defer much 70
the weather the above quoted paragraph would seem
indicates That the Erie Canal might be ready FOR nav
CATION month earlier than the time usually fixed upon
by the managers, hardly admits Of doubt In the minds
OF men qualified to judge-by having had largo expo
rence the canals The writer lives along the line Of
the Delaware and Hudson Canal, and was some time
resident OF Albany and account OF his being Interested
in the Of boats both canals has had oooa
sion to notice and contrast the management ~ them IN
this respect.
Years ago the managers OF the Delaware and H1d,on
Canal Company acted the ideas 10 ia openins
which still TO influence the managers OF 5ias
canasthat 1t necessary to delay navigation until
the frost OF the ground order TO avoid breaks.
But the faacy OF that idea has long since been Demon
srated and the contrary experience has proved
after year that udciOus letting In Of the water greay
facilitated early navigation by gradually drawing th'
frost from the banks, something water draws FROST
from frozen apple II the writer correctly Informed.
Gs credit for e Gy IS dc 70 G aSa
has been successfully carried out that boating was
begun season on the 10th day OF March. and tba
usual time for opening from the last days OF March
10 the 9TH OF April, averaging fully one month earlier
than the opening Of state canals IL may he said
that the Delaware and Hudson Canal traverses warmer
country the Erie but this Is not really the
for there points on it along tho Delaware River 40
shut in by high and PERCEPTIONS rocks that the sun has
bearing on II OF only about one hour each dy ai ioS
1t s quite late in the Spring before IL Is dispatei On
account Of the unusual severity Of the past Winter tho
opening OF the Delaware and Hudson Canal was
delayed this season until April ~, but II wat
not so much the frost in the banks which baiied
the Efforts Of the managers as It was the slmos;,
in the deep basins and levels where the water hal
been left in. II required time and the action OF AMI
water TO get this out OF the channel Indeed the writ
told Dy the present Superintendent, A. NJ Atkinson
that at certain point channel cut through ice -
inches thick just wide enough to permit the passage Ot
boats and that the loose ice made by this cutting
showed and held under that which fast tO the banks
by simple and ingenious contrfvance. which he de-
scribed This experience OF 10 or ID years sufficiently
demonstrates the aeness OF the apology Of our sias
managers, and the practicaby Of their opening Ia,
State canals at least month earlier than they hava
length Of the canal season. matter OF no little account
to the State aud those VINO navigate the canals. ant
those who interested directly and indirectly In ia
business
I@.,.;; this policy Of early opening the State man.
ayers could, with great propey and advantage adopt
certain other improvements which have been worked
out tested, and employed from time To time by the
ayers Of the Delaware and Hudson Canal For instance.
hey have in improved lock and certain simps
and inexpensive cOntriyances OF pulloys and chains
which have nearly doubled their facilities for ockagc
Indeed, the writer believes that tho managers Of TAO
our state canals there would be such revolution in
policy, such o radical change Of condition at such
slight cost would asOnish much sratify a! VINO
are interested in their success. j. ". 10
EUearHie, May 3, 1879.