100 ROUTES OF TRADE.

132.

Routes of
Trade.

We have
seen that
the same
products
are not
found in all parts of the earth. The rich
prairies are best suited to farming, and the
higher plains to grazing. The southern plains
yield large harvests of cotton, while the high-
land of the west produces gold and silver.

Let us peep into the stores a moment.
Here is tea from China, and coffee from
Brazil. This spice is from Java, and this
fruit is from the groves of California. This
rubber was taken from a tree in the selvas, 5
and these knives came from the workshops of England. =

Rivers, railroads and oceans are the chief highways
of trade. Much has been done to improve many of
these highways. Rocks have been taken out of rivers
and harbors, and sandbars have been dredged away.
Canals have been made round rapids and waterfalls, as
well as from river to river and from sea to sea.

It is far cheaper to carry goods by water than by
land. On the sea there are no costly roads nor tracks to
build and to keep in repair.

Every producing region needs one or more shipping
pomts. These become centers of trade. They should
be within easy reach of all parts of the region, and
should connect by water, rail or other route, with the
markets of the world.

Railroads cross the United States from ocean to ocean,
by half a dozen routes. They run along every seacoast.
They wind with great rivers. They climb mountains and
cross cafons. ‘

Years ago rivers were the chief highways of inland trade, but now
railroads have taken first place. To-day cities and towns are dotted

all along the lines where freight trains gather up the products of farm,
forest and mine.