The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-09-05
Schnrf Patent Asphalifc Pavement.

Schnrf Patent Asphalifc Pavement.
As the pavement question has been OF late
attracting good deal 81 fa;tenton in this city,
we give the following testimony to the value
of the above mentioned pavement from the
New York Indedendent. The main objec-
tions which we have heard against this kind
of pavement are the time required for it to har-
den, and the danger Of softening in hot wealth
er. The article meets one Of these objections:
This new pavement is winning golden opin-
ions wherever used, and, We believe, is des-
tined to supply want long needed in our
cities. This pavement was laid in front of
cur residence in Brooklyn during the coolest
weather of December last, was opened for the
use of the public Immediately upon compile
tion, and is now apparently as perfect as when
first laid. Suffice it to say that it has given
such general satisfaction that property hold
ers are now petitioning the authorities for the
paving OF the balance of tie street with it.
Although this Scharf Asphaltic Pavement
is new in this country, yet a pavement some
what similar, and we believs inferior to il, has
been in use in Paris for the past sixteen
years. And the favor in which it is regarded
there is evident from the fact that il is NOT on
ly being la d in many of the principal thor
oughfares of the French metropolis; but, by
decree or orc er OF the authorities, no other
pavement will be permitted to be used after
this year (1S7O) 1t has also been used with
great satisfaction in the city of Brussels and
other European cities, on account OF cleanli-
ness, durability, economy, and healthfulness.
The mode OF construction of this pavement,
laid in Bitumen and Asphalt, renders it more
durable that either stone or wool and great
ly preferable in all respects. The surface,
lcs 4 y, ,Lrlt se oil 10
remarkable degree; at the same time that,
laid upon solid Macadam Foundation, thor
ou9hly cemented, it is impervious to water
and not effected by extremes Of heat or cold.
And our experience with it in use is that, as
there is no perceptible wearing ffof the sur
face, no dust or mud comparatively, can be
found upon it; and, being elastic, it affords an
easy surface for the horse to travel upon, Civ
ing natural action to the muscles.
1t is asserted by engineers in Paris that the
power for the horse is nearly doubled tor
dranght by this elastic pavement; and, as it
is not slippery At any season, he is exempt
jolting Of carriages IS also obvated, involving
to our minds great saving in tho wear of
vehicles.
We are informed that specimen OF this
pavement laid in Central Park is as good a,
when first laid lover sixteen months ago,)
over which hundreds OF thousands of carriages
monthly pass; and the same results are ap-
parent in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. In fact,
we are informed that the commissioners of
each Of the above parks have recently made
new contracts for more of this unequalled
pavement. This pavement has also been test
ed by the superintendent at West Point for
walks, and given such satisfaction that Gen.
eral Pitcher has recently entered into con.
tract to have more of it laid down there.
We are led to believe by actual observation,
and the satisfactory proofs before us, that this
pavement is superior in all respects to any
which has yet been tried; and we comuend
it to those in municipal authority all over the
country as worthy of their careful copsidera-
ton.