San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-11-23
TROLLEYs FOR FARMS.
The Many Uses to Which EIectrici-
~ Could Be Put in the Coun-

Nv Ec fuG the COuu-
! try.
From the Philadelphia Record.
From Illinois ig Is announced that
plans have been perfected for an ex-
perimental trolley plant in the rich
prairie farming country, where cleo
tricity will be used not only for sup
plying cheap passenger transporta-
ton, but for performing farm work
as well. This opens endless posi-
bilities for the trolley system, an
the success of the experiment will b
watched with much interest.
The advocates OF the new plan say
that in q good farming country, where
there is a creditable amount OF stuff
to be hauled to the city, it is entirely
practicable TO establish q central
mower house; and from this to sener-
ate electricity ior number Of uses.
The wires could be run along the
main road If the power house is situ-
ated on one, aud from this extend
branches in as many directions as
the business would warrant. Aside
from the carrying of passengers,
which would be conducted in the
same way as now, the electric rail.
way connecting with some steam
railroad, the electric current could be
used in variety OF other ways.
With traction wagons, such as are
commoner in the west than here, all
the hauling of the neigh Dor hood
could be done. 1t would require no
change in the construction of the
farm wagons, for they could be load
ed as now, and picked up along the
road by the traction wagon. The
only limit to the number of wagons
that might be taken in one train
would be the power and strength OF
the hauling machinery. All the far.
mer would have to do would be to
have his load made up In the morn
ling and then to stay at home and at
tend to his work while his wagon was
taken to town in the electrical train
and the contents disposed of there by
an agent. There would be no limit
to the load which he copld ship at
one time except the capacity of his
wagon. Most of his horses could be
dispensed with. and shipments could
be made more quickly and in greater
quantities than now.
The use of the power from7the troll
ley wire need not be limited to trac-
tion on the road, however. The wire
could be tapped for every farm and
the power used for general farm pur-
noses. The moving machine GOULD
b. drawn by electricity instead OF
b rises. The thresbiDg could be done
without the use of travelling steam
engine, with it's expense for fuel and
tepdants. Even butter could be
churned by electricity and the drudg
cry of warm work generally reduced.
Carrying the idea still further, it is
even suggested that the country roads
could be lighted with electricity and
electric lights introduced into the
farm house, Illuminating 1t brightly
and making it more cheerful.
From the standpoint of the subur
ban resident every railroad station of
any importance would be connected
by trolley railways with the county
lying about it. and in this way the
area of territory available tor subur.
ban resiC en- ;es would be greatly en-.
larged. SIN Ill manufacturing estab-
lishments, as well as farmers, could
have their freight carried to and from
the stations, saving the teamipg that
cow en- eats up much of the profits.
Electricians look forward 10 these de-
velOpments as the natural growth of a
| few years.