The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1867-02-16
Our County Roads.

Our country roads are generally found in
rougher and more neglected condition
than they ought to be IN State so long set,
tied and populous as Maryland The appro'
priaions for their repair are frequently too
small in amount to have any really useful
effect, and the triAing annual sum accorded
by the Commissioners, is usually frittercd
away in most absurd and inefficient man.
ncr. The holes and deep ruts are filled with
loose earth taken from the wayslde bank,
and which is not unfrequently washed away
again after a few hard rains. The huge
heaps thrown diagonally across the roads
are not only of small practical value, but
are occasionally the cause OF injury to pass
ing vehicles and are always a source of
trouble and annoyance. Boulders and rocks
are generally suffered to remain in the bed
Of the road where, if they crop out too much
they are covered with a light skin of carth
which binds nothingand speedily disappears
The marshy places and springs which some.
times occur in the road bcd arc rarely drain
ed, but are simply filled with loose stone,
ed, and therefore, either sink in, or are
gradually worked loosely to the surface by
passing teams. These slovenly practices
should be remcded A good solid road
that can be travelled in all wcathers and at
all seasons, will invariably pay for the cX-
pense of making it, in the increased value
of the lands through which it runs, and in
the economy OF horse power and the wear
and tear of teams. We hold, therefore, it
would be directly good policy on the part OF
the County Commissioners to appropriate "A
sum Of money sufficient to make the roads
under their care permanently firm, and to
keep them in the best possible order. But
orr farmers should not wait the tardy action
Of the Commissioners. Each neighbor-
hood, where it is practicable, should take
the matter in hand. A really good road, as
we have already remarked, will Away make
an ample return for the labor and money
expended on it, i'll the saving of vehicles
and hubs, and in the ease and comfort with
which it can be travelled. Property is thus
brought more open to inspection, and pur,
chasers are not deferred rronrbuying because
of difficulties encountered at the outset
Markets too arc practically brought nearer;
the hauling Of manure for the farm is rem
dcred easier, and all the disagreeable mis-
haps attendant upon travelling by bad ways
are thus avoided. 1t is unfortunately Tic
ease that most persons fail to understand
their true interest in this matter, or to ap.
preciate how much might be done to remedy
the evil by concert Of action. We think,
however, that the time has arrived when
more attention should be paid to the cond-
ton of our country roads, and we propose
therefore, to offer some suggestions in regard
20 their improvement, which may be useful
in preventing those engaging IN undertake
ings of this kind from falling into many
errors. The worst location for a road, and
yet the one most usually adopted is in a val.
lev between two hills. Constant travel
deepens the road bed, heavy rains fill up
and change the direction of the bitches, and
the whole wash of the water aud beds on
y each side finds its outlet by the channe. o
the road so that the ruts of the latter arc
I, scooped out into deep cutters, and its bed
otherwise obstructed by the loose stones ant
debris brought down by the flood. Where
the soil is suitable let the road be made
wherever practicable, on the hillside. j
will bc.more permanent, will require les
repair,and, by careful engineering may, il
many cases, be made so as to make the III
cline gradual and easy, and to carry off tn
water shed and excess OF rainfall By bitches
cut nextto the bank, and dischargng tn
accumulation of water by underlrains bclo,
the surface and finding their vent by tn
outer slopes. A road that takes the hill i
its steepest grade is always difficult to kee