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

We copy the following able article from De
Bows Commercial Review for March. 1t is
No. 3 Of series from the pen OF practical
writer upon this subject We hope our friends
will take the pains to read the article carefully,
as much important light and knowledge is con-
tanned in it. Can any reasonable man doubt
the practicability of the scheme9 We intend
to keep the subject constantly before the
people, until the work shall commence; for we
believe the road will be eventually built; but
"delays, always dangerous, IRE sometimes ia
tal" We are pleased to see that the subject
has excited the attention OF some Of our lead
ing men; we hope their interest will not abate,
but continue until Lancaster, North Carolina,
and Kershaw shall unite as the voice of one
man, and the work shall be commenced, cont.
nued, and concluded.
PLANK ROADS.
In order to facilitate the escape Of water that
falls upon the road, the planks are laid with an
inclination toward the ditch, on that side of the
graded road on which the planks are laid, of
two inches in six feet, or say three inches in the
length of the plank, so that all the water that
does not fall Immediately at the joints, is con-
Quoted off Mt the ends TO effect this,
straightedge, with carpenters level properly
adjusted to it, is used in laying down the string
ers, the end of it resting upon either stringer,
and their respective elevations arranged accord
ingly.
Now follows the filling in of earth at the
ends of the planks necessary to keep them from
moving laterally--as they arc not attached to
the stringers, by any kind Of fastening whatev-
er-neither spikes pins, or anything of the kind,
being necessary-and to facilitate driving upon
and off OF the road. This filling is commonly
raised about three inches at first above the
planks, so that when it becomes thoroughly
settled and compacted by use, it will be at least
as high as the ends of the planks. If it should
settle below this, attention must Immediately
be given to restoring the proper elevation by
the addition of more earth. A slope on the
ditch side should be given about three inches to
the foot The earth which is used in the fill
ling in may be obtained from the bitches. The
bitches are, of course an essential part of the
work, aud all the care and expense bestowed
in first opening them, and afterward keeping
them clear and in order, will be amply repaid;
and on no account must this be neglected.
They should be two feet wide on tho bottom,
and two feet below the top Of the planks.
On that side of the graded road not occu.
pied by the plank, good earth road must be
made resembling in contour the side of the road
laid with plank-ditch and all. This, ofcourse,
is intended to apply where single plank track
is used; and it will be matter of surprise with
all, venture to predict, OH first travelling on n
plank road, as it was with me, how complete.
ly and conveniently single track accommo-
dates large business. :. could discover no
more Inconvenience in vehicles passing each
other than in the streets of Macon. This had
appeared to me great difficulty and objection
to single track, and | was surprised to find
how little foundation it had, in fact, and how
well single track answered all demands upon
it. The great bulk of travel being upon tho
plank, and the earth road being only used to
turn out upon, 1t has but little tendency to cut
up and become ruttcd, rs it will tnke the exact
tract of previous one.
Some of the roads leading from the princi-
pal marts are laid with double track for dis
tance of three or four miles; but, even here, the
second track might apparently have been dis
pensed with without much Inconvenience.
When double, or second track is laid down,
it is simply a duplicate ofthe first, and has no