Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1871-03-30
Drainage.

The road has been located and suita-
bic grade established; now comes the work
of construction. After a suitable grade
the next fundamental requisite Of a good
road is thorough drainage. Without this
all other things fail to give decent, dura-
bic road, one that can be cheaply kept in
order, and used equally well thi oughout
the year. Not infrequently thorough
drainage is enough to convert miserable
road INTO a road that 10 comparatively
good; yet there is little or no systematic
attempt at thorough drainage In any part
Of the State. Seldom or never IL the spir-
it level used, in work upon our county
roads, Tor the purpose of giving the ditch
es a uniform INCLINATION.
Where the slope of the surface is consid-
cradle and the soil not easily penetrated
by water, the work of drainage can be
readily accomplished. When the surface
is level, or its inclination but slight, with
soil quickly saturated and softened by
rain or melting snow, there should be, as
n rule. upon each side of the road, q ditch
at least three fe deep. Its width, at the
bottom. should be perhaps one foot, while
the slope of the sides IS such as demanded
by the nature of the soil. In order that
the water may be rapidly conveyed away,
the Longitudinal slope of this ditch must be
uitlipFtil. anu least one fpOl IN -bf- i
the soil sndIthe lay Of the land are such that
thorough drainage ofthe road-bed, saving
from the effects of frost in winter and
from mud during the wettest periods OF
the year, cannot he thus secured, then IN
derdrains OF stone or tile must be laid a.
cross the road at intervals OF 10 to 40 feet.
as circumstances require. The more
porous the soil the less frequent these
cross drains needs be. One of the very
best things. however, is an underirain
running iengthwise of the road and along
it, centre. BY this the central portion OF
the road Is relieved of all moisture, except
that harmless amount which the soil re-
mains ny capillary attraction alone.
la ger amount of moisture the road bed
should never hold II never holding more
there would be no trouble from frost, no
conversion OF the road, at any season Of
the year, into "s,oughs of despond, as so
frequently happens now. A zigzag road,
whose surface should always incline slight
IN towards the hill. requires cross-ditch
or cuiwert at ever turn. Thus easily NAV
We guard the zigzag road against the wash
iug which maSe> such havoc with roads
that 20 straight orer the hill. and which
cannot b. prevcn'ed so long AZ the roads
follow such strai .ht lines.
At Paris Hill am told there may be
seen an ILLUSTRATION OF the AdmlfADle re-
suits THAI can be secured by even imper-
feet drainage The streets in the village,
and especially the long hill leading To the
village. were for many years renowned for
their spring mud. But there came a
change, gradually wrought, for the work
OF redemption was more than the districts
could do In year. central underdrain
made of ordinary stone, was laid Along the
village streets and down the hin. The re-
suit j. that now. with the meltin. of the
snow. IA. centre Of the travelled wav l.
dry and ready for immediate use. Doubt
les the morals Of the people. having occ,-
sion u travel up this hill. have also been
improved. have heard OF a somewhat
similar conquest Of long, bad hill in Win
throp. while | have met with sundry mi
nor exam pie in different parts of the State.
Indeed. 80 manifest are the virtues OF road
drainage that II Is truly remarkable so lit
tie labor has been expended in this dircc-
ton. 1t Is clear that neither our farmers
nor our road-makers half appreciate the
wonderful results watch can be secured by
thorough drainage OF fields and highway,
by Keeping them. so far as water Is con-
ccrned, in fl condition for perpetual ser
vice.