Running westward through Kirkland, proceed by the main turnpike to Vernon, passing through Lairdsville, a distance altogether of eight and a quarter miles. At Vernon do not cross the track, but keep on on the left side, running through Oneida Castle direct into Oneida by crossing the track, or if you intend to keep straight on do not cross the track, but proceed direct to Canastota, six and a half miles from Oneida Castle. Here it is possible to keep straight on to Chittenango, but the road will be found far better if the track is crossed at Canastota and the route as marked on the accompanying map followed, as in this way one or two hills are avoided. Chittenango is a good place to stop for an hour's rest if you have not already stopped at Oneida or at Canastota; but perhaps, if the trip is to be spread over a whole day, Canastota is the best place to stop for dinner. Leaving Chittenango, the road runs direct to Fayetteville, eight miles from Chittenango, and thence runs into Syracuse, passing through DeWitt. The last part of the way the roads are rather hilly, or what is called rolling. They are in reasonably good condition, the road-bed being of loam and gravel. On entering Syracuse you will find yourself on East Avenue. Proceed along this to East Genesee Street and to the Globe Hotel.
By referring to the map you will find that on the secondary or fair bicycle roads many a side trip can be made, and the map will prove of use to persons who may not have the Albany-Buffalo trip in mind particularly. For example, the route is clear from Utica to Rome, running through Whitesboro and Oriskany. In like manner it is easy, though by a somewhat roundabout route, to get to Cazenovia. The road running direct from Chittenango to Cazenovia is not a good one, and is hilly. It will pay the rider, especially if he has time, to proceed to Fayetteville, and then run down to Cazenovia, following the railroad on the route marked on the map. A pleasant variation of the ride would be to cross the railroad after leaving Oneida Castle, run through Oneida, and follow the fair bicycle road out to South Bay, running along the edge of the lake through Bridgeport, thence turning southward, passing through Manlius, and reaching the main route at Fayetteville again.
Note.—Map of New York city asphalted streets in No. 809. Map of route from New York to Tarrytown in No. 810. New York to Stamford, Connecticut in No. 811. New York to Staten Island in No. 812. New Jersey from Hoboken to Pine Brook in No. 813. Brooklyn in No. 814. Brooklyn to Babylon in No. 815. Brooklyn to Northport in No. 816. Tarrytown to Poughkeepsie in No. 817. Poughkeepsie to Hudson in No. 818. Hudson to Albany in No. 819. Tottenville to Trenton in No. 820. Trenton to Philadelphia in No. 821. Philadelphia in No. 822. Philadelphia-Wissahickon Route in No. 823. Philadelphia to West Chester in No. 824. Philadelphia to Atlantic City—First Stage in No. 825; Second Stage in No. 826. Philadelphia to Vineland—First Stage in No. 827; Second Stage in No. 828. New York to Boston—Second Stage in No. 829; Third Stage in No. 830; Fourth Stage in No. 831; Fifth Stage in No. 832; Sixth Stage in No. 833. Boston to Concord in No. 834. Boston in No. 835. Boston to Gloucester in No. 836. Boston to Newburyport in No. 837. Boston to New Bedford in No. 838. Boston to South Framingham in No. 839. Boston to Nahant in No. 840. Boston to Lowell in No. 841. Boston to Nantasket Beach in No. 842. Boston Circuit Ride in No. 843. Philadelphia to Washington—First Stage in No. 844; Second Stage in No. 845; Third Stage in No. 846; Fourth Stage in No. 847; Fifth Stage in No. 848. City of Washington in No. 849. City of Albany in No. 854; Albany to Fonda in No. 855; Fonda to Utica in No. 856.
This Department is conducted in the interest of stamp and coin collectors, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on these subjects so far as possible. Correspondents should address Editor Stamp Department.
I am frequently asked by Round Table correspondents whether it would be a good speculation to buy the lower values of the Columbian issue, which are still on sale at many post-offices. I always answer No! for any values less than the 50c. All the dealers and speculators and a large number of collectors have loaded themselves down with these stamps. However great the demand, the supply will be ample. Everybody is alive to the value of stamps to-day, but eight years ago it was quite different. Then was the time to buy; but how few availed themselves of the opportunity. Compare the prices of to-day with those of 1888:
| 1888. | 1896. | |
| Set State Department, unused, | $49.50 | $287.00 |
| Set Exec. Department, unused | 6.00 | 49.00 |
| Set Navy Department, unused | 5.00 | 40.00 |
| Set Agri. Department, unused | 3.50 | 27.65 |
| Set 1870 Grille, unused | 21.30 | 216.00 |
| 1861 3c. Pink, unused | .25 | 25.00 |
| 1869 Set, unused | 9.95 | 87.85 |
| 1870 12c. Grille, unused | 2.50 | 75.00 |
| 1870 24c. Grille, unused | 5.00 | 100.00 |