The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-05-10

with earth raised little above either track.
This is obviously, as general rule. prefera-
BILE to doubling the length of the planks and
laying the tracks in connection. There may
be cases, however, where this course might
be expedient.
The disadvantages of laying the planks in
double lengths for double track, are, that a
load first passing upon one end of the plank and
then upon the other the earth will unavoidably
settle to some extent at either end, while in the
middle it will settle less, if at all. This will
produce see-saw motion of the planks, and at
least, require them to be pinned or spiked down
to the stringers, for which there is no necessity
or use, when laid in the other way. Another
objection relates to repairs. If the tracks are
laid separate, each track may be repaired al
ternately without suspending travel upon the
road. But, venture to say, that there is not
a place in Georgia, out of the principal towns,
where single track will not be found to an
swer every purpose.
The most difficult points in plank road to
keep in order, are those where two descending
grades meet in hollow. The water accumu-
lates here from both directions which some
times produces churning. Especial care
must in such places be had to draining. And
it is necessary, generally, to guard well against
getting the track too low. One road in the
State Of New York, the Rome and Oswego,
had to be entirely relaid after one years use, in
consequence of this fault This road is said
Notwithstanding, to have cleared thirty per cent
per annum, it having been built, as understand
under special charter, in which there are no
restrictions as to profits. Those built under the
general law, are restricted to ten per cent
when the income exceeds this, after setting
aside fund for repairs and renewals, the tolls
are required to be reduced.
The rates of toll are three. .fourths of cent
per mile for single horse and vehicle of any
kind, one and half cents for two horses and
vehicle, and half a cent per mile for every ad-
ditional horse. This would be three and a half
cents per mile for six.horse team, an amount,
apparently, which the planter would very cheer
fully and gladly payfo facilities for good road,
where his wagons would neither upset nor stick
in the mud, which is so frequently the case on
many of our roads in the winter season. 1t
would seldom, however, be necessary to drive
more than four horses or mules to wagon on
plank road, in which event, the tolls at the
New York rates, would be two and half cents
equal to twenty five cents for ten miles, or
two dollars and fifty cents for hundred miles.
1t is possible, however, that slight advance on
these rates might here be necessary. On a
plank road, four horses will carry the load Of
six with more ease, and with one-half more
speed or suppose twenty miles to be the pres
cnt rate per day for loaded team, thirty could
be as easily performed on a plank road. Such,
at least, are the impressions have received on
looking into the subject
For staging, upon plank roads, | am inform
ed that no vehicle answers the purpose so well
as the old fashioned four-horse coach. Omni.
buses have been tried, but the same speed,
was told, "could not be got out of them" The
coaches, however, seat nine passengers inside,
three over the boot, and two back of the driver;
and, as have before mentioned, nine miles an
hour, including stops, is practicable and COM
mon.
endeavored to inform myself as to whether
the roads were popular with those who pay the
bulk of the tolls, the farmers-and whether
the tolls were paid cheerfully; and | could hear
of no dissatisfaction or reluctance. Or, if there
was any reluctance, it was to paying in winter,
when nature furnishs road of snow, and the
plank roads are many inches beneath 1.-THE
travelling being, of course, in sleighs.
On the score of durability, the system has
not been in operation long enough to afford any
reliable results. The deterioration from wear,
need excite no fears; for the sooner plank
road wears out, the better it will pay; for it is
an established fact, that a road cannot wear
out without paying back its cost, and hand.
some per cent. besides. So, that the principal
matter to be considered, is the deterioration
from decay. In the State of New York. as be-
fore remarked, this limit is placed at seven
years, and think we shall be safe in assuming
the same here. In entering upon all enterprise
of this kind, then, we have at first as nearly as
possible to determine the amount of business
which would pass over the road, and then by
the above, or any other safe rate of tolls, to esti
mate the income for seven years. After making
a small annual allowance for repairs, such as
keeping the bitches open and and the earth at
the ends of the plank, &C., in order which may
safely be estimated rs the work of one hand for
three milc-to compare the income with the
cost, and we have tho result we seek. lfthe
travel should exceed our expectations, so as to
wear out the read in less than seven years, all
the better. The means will be at hand to re.
place it.
Some of the roads i'm the State of New York |