New-York tribune., 1870-12-15
MASSACHUSETTS, BOARD or AGRICULTURE.
PUBLIC MEETING AT FRAMINGHAM-DTSCUSSI
on ROADS AND ROAD-MAKING.

PUBLIC MEETING AT FRAMINGHAM-DlsCCSol
on ROADS AND R0AD-MAKING.
FRAMISGHAM Mass Dec. 1j.-The Massa-
chusets Board OF Agriculture began series OF public
meetings in the Town Hall, birmingham this morning.
The meetings will be continued during Wednesday and
Thursday largo number OF agiculturists were
present the interest continually increases during the
sessions The meeting this morning called to order
by the Hon. Marshall p. Wilder after which Mr. c. C.
Esty briefly welcomed the members Of the Board on
behalf the citizens OF the town. Addresses of well
come were also delivered by g. B. Brown, President Of
the South Middlesex Agricultural Society. and by John
johnson, resident member OF the Board.
THE OPENING ADDRESS
The opening address was delivered by the Hon Mar
shall p. Wilder, the Chairman Of the Committee. He
said he was present at the organization OF the Board 20
years ago The Society emanated from a suggestion Of
the Norfolk cutura Society in January %, 1851 and
WAS Incorporated in 1852 Public interest in the affairs
Of the Board had 40 increased that 10000 copies OF the
Report Insufficient for the demand. The influence
OF the Board had modelled the system Of agriculture in
other States The introduction of pure breeds OF cattle
the establishment of the State Agricultural College and
the extrpation OF peuropneumonia, were largely que
the interest and information encouraged ana dnu'ru
by discussions Of the Board The speaker compl-
and expressed his confidence III It's increased EMERGENCY
in the future.
ROADS AND RoAD.NAKISG.
In the afternoon about 100 members present Mr.
l..
ture read an which. he said, written with
view gslation the present VIGOROUSLY inef
fective system Of roadmaking. Every owner OF real
estate had vital interest in the question Tho Legisa-
of the roads in the state. In reply those Inquiries
Mr. Flint had received the following statistics: Two
hundred and eighteen cities and towns reported that
there were in the aggregate 253 surveyors 267 cities
and reported 495i miles OF road, costing for re-
pairs 35l2 32 average OF about 81 per mile. The
total to the cities s6376 TO- or an average Of
1888 20 per mile Aside from the cities, 2i6 towns re-
al ulpatln Of
1921 1896 % or average OF 81 20 per mile Cities and
towns 10 the number Of lG5 reported that the road taxes
are paid money CA that they paid in Labor and 70
that they paid in both From l5I cities and towns
there reported an aggregate OF sooS6 80 ior ne past
consequence OF alleged defects In roads From 20 towns
II rcported that nothing had been paid for damages
The city OF Boston expended s32j annually for the
maintenance OF highways, and several OF the larger
spent amounts ranging nom $4,000 to $4,000 per
annum for the same purpose
1t was an established principle among experts that
cost of maintenance should be reduced TO a minimum
Although other things being equal short line was the
proper one for road yet al, Toaa might be adyamEe
20 times the hight of hill. The evils OF too great
cOnyexy IN road were manifold The better form was
two inclined planes, meeting with "A slightly rounded
surface in the roads center Small loose stones that
worked upward ought TO be removed. He further elab-
Grated other points OF detail and pointed out what he re-
gardcd errors In the present system OF roadmaking
Screened gravel and crushed rocks were the best mate
provide stone rshers aud heavy rollers He alluded
of the state and spoke Of the multitude OF incompetent
surveyors that were elected. A good surveyor when
elected, ought to be kept In Office lie thought that II
better cases, TO employ the poor in making
roads than to send them to the aims house He advocated
"A law compelling Selectmen 10 employ competent super
intendens for thu five years. Each town should ap
point two three inspectors to act in concert with in
specors OF adjoining towns, and thus make the roads
uniform. He closed by recommending Board OF Public
Works 10 be nauguraed hv the state to take charge of
the business of roadmakng and other similar enter
prses.
DIFFERENT ROADS FOR DIFFERENT LOCALITIES.
DR.. George Il. LOrng, President OF the NewEngland
Agricultural Society. though agreeing in many points
with what had been said, thought the discussion too
much side. II not rOadmakng in and around
Boston that they must regard but the best practicable
way get roads through the State OF Massachu
The best roads those which the people could afford
to build in their immediate localities Roads with
horses to travel. they changed the strain
the muscles. He did not believe that the
Their ancestors were pretty Srewd people, and had
built roads with great economy and directness He did
not believe that all the roads in the State needed the
careful and correct cement alluded had no
objection to pOpuOus and wealthy communities building
expensive roads but in remote, untraveed districts the
expense would Oientimes be uncaed for. If anybody
made s5OO out OF the wooden pavement OF Boston, let
them make IT. Tor justice would oyertake them at the
next eactOn. He would however, be the last man TO
advocate system which would encourage little towns
the state To load themselves with debts put Jobs
into the hands Of men who could only live by Jobs lie
thought the present system tended undue increase
OF expense Road making ought TO be left In measure
10 the dnerent localities. Roads would then be built
and improved necessities demanded, the wealth
OF places increased He did differ entirely
had been said but he thought the cry for Improvements
under new scientific system sometimes went too fast
and too far.
The discussion was continued by Messrs r. Goodman
OF IenoX G. g. Davis Of Plymouth, and other gentlemen
lhe Board In the evening attended. by invitation, lee
tnre delivered In the town by the Rev Robert COyer OF
Chicago