Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1892-12-30
TROLLEYS FOR FARMS.
INTERESTING POSSIBILITIES
OF ELECTRICITY.
Every Farmer VIII Have New Force
To Do His Work-Suburban De-
velopments VIII lie Hast
ened-No Horses.

The rage for forming electric rail.
way companies in the country dis
tricts surrounding Philadelphia
which was so prevalent few months
ago appears to have largely died on,
without having accomplished much.
There are u few electric railways in
the suburban territory around the
city. as in Camden. Chester Yves
Chester and some other places. but
little advantage has been taken OF
the opportunities for paying traffic
afforded by the we'll populated towns
lying close together in all directions
The West is far ahead OF the East
in this matter and having made "A
liberal use OF the electric current for
atfording rapid transit in many grow
ing cities and towns is now prepar.
ing TO extend its application to the
more distinctively rural regions.
From Illinois it is announced that
plans have been perfected for an ex-
detrimental trolley plant in the rich
prair,e 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 tho trolley system and
the Success of the experiment will be
watched with much interest
The improvement OF the country
roads around Philadelphia in the past
few years and the cheapness OF coal
here would seem t. make it ossible
to use electricity in ways that
were not dreamed OF few years ago.
The advocates OF the new plan saw
that In good farming country where
there is Il creditabIe amount 20 be
hauled to the city. it is entirely
plausible TO establish q central power.
house and from this to generate
electricity FOR a number OF uses.
The wires could be run along the
main road il the powerhouse is
situated on one and from this
branches extend in rs many directions
as the business would warrant
Aside from the carrying OF passen-
gers. which would be conducted in
the same way as now. tho electric
railway 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 borhood
could be done. 1t would REQUIRE no
change in the construction OF the
farm wagons for they could be loaded
as now, and picked up along the road
by the traction wagon. The only
limit to the mum Der OF wagons that
might be taken in one train would be
the power and strength OF the haul.
ing machinery. All the farmer would
have to do would be TO have his load
made up in the morning and then
stay at home aud attend to hi, 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 could ship at one time except the |
capacity of his wagon Most OF his
horses could be dispensed with. and
shipments could be made more quick |
ly and in greater quantities than now. |
The use OF the power from the troll !
ley wire need hot be limited TO trac- |
ton on the road however The wire /
could be tapped for every arm an d !
the power used for general farm pur. /
poses. The moving machine could |
be drawn by electricity instead OF /
horses. The threshing could be done
without the use OF travelling steam
engine with no expense for me, and
attendants Even butter could be
by electricity and the drudg-
cry OF farm work generally reduced.
Carrying the idea still further il Is
syen suggested that thu country
roads could be lighted with electricity
md electric lights introduced into
he fam house. Illuminating il
brightly and making it more cheerful.
From the standpoint of the subur-
pan resident every railroad station OF
my importance would be connected
BY trolley railways with the country
y ng about it and in this way the
lrea OF territory available for subur.
IAN residences would be greatly en-
arged. Small manufacturing estab-
isnments ~ well as the farmers
could have The = freight carried to
md from the stations saving the
Gaming which now often eats mach
u the profits.
Electricians look forward 10 these
developments as the natural growth
# a few years, Philadelphia with
Is great suburban populat on and
lch farming country all about it,
you'd seem TO be peculiarly local ty
7hcre such ideas could be put nto
roiitable practice Unfortunately.
owever il cannot DO said that al
resent there is any perceptible pro.
ress toward their material ization.
Spms Pccu ~ Rodents.
Death Valley California. notwith.