Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-05-07
agricultural,
Repairing Highways.

The time mas now hrTiVeu Wuel Lle annual
repairs of the highways should be made.
This work is usually lett too long, being de
ferred to a more convenient season to allow |
the farmers to give their attention to their
own private affairs, and when there is moth
ing else TO do, they work on the road. |
farmers could only see it in the proper light, |
a good sys EN- of roads would be re gard as
of as much value to farmers to teamsters.
Though used less by the farmer than by those
whose business is on the road the value 0
farming property is enhanced by god sys
TEN oil roads, and the farmers own conveu-
fence in good roads to III i'll and store and
meeting is no small item. What we are aim
ing to say is, that farmers, "a Il class, do 10!
take sufficient practical interest IN the IN +
ter. That is our first point. An the mex
is-the methods in common use for making
End repairing country roads are essentially
faulty,
sFAsoNABLE WORK.
The work should be done in the spring. La
Dor in the fall except 80 far as is necessary
to protect the roads from the action OF water
until another season, is substantially throw
away. 1t should be early in spring. A.
soon as the earth is dry enough to work. 1t
is done easier, lasts better, and is Every way
more satisfactory.
THE LOCATION
of roads, to secure good sound foundation,
with suitable material at hand for cOnssruc
ton and repairs, to avoid unnecessary hills
and to escape snow drifts, is IA IN liter rcqulr
ing much care 1t costs great deal TO maln-
tain good road, or any kind Of Il rJad, in a
wet, muddy or clayey soil, or one composed
of humus. Sand IS still worse. Anything
very elaborate may be considered out Of the
question tor hlgh ways IN an agricultural
community; good, firm gravel is the b ST
material If the location can be such that
the basis of the road is OF this 81 bstance, and
the same is found at the IN irgns for repairs,
it will save much cost OF cartase AMI insure
better road.
To avoid wear and tear of horse q lsh. car
riages and barnes ses as well Tor greater
security OF Lille and llmb steep grades should
be avoided We know highway surveyor >
who states as his opinion tnat the best way
to ascend hill with a load is to take the
shortest cut from the base to the summit
without regard to the inclination; and lac
opposes any change of location having for it,
object a more gradual ascent. lie is a good
farmer, and Is regarded as an intelligent
man but he " can't keep hotel,' and Il
not fit for the responsible position of high
way surveyor. Many of the old roads are
laid over or near the submits OF high lis
The old settlers appear to have entertained d
fear of being swamped. and kept on or sough
high ground. Hence many OF these RAIDS ar,
unnecessarily billy. No argument is needed
to convince any one, in these days, of tn
allacY of that principle.
If any thing was needed to convince PEG
pie that it is worth while to take lltt
pains to avoid snow drifts, the hardships en-
dured in breaking roads the past winter wer
sufficient, There are certain points in hill
country where the prevailing winds are sue
that the snow wi slft into the road almcs
every day, and keep it obstructed nearly a
the time, especially if there are fences a
the sides. If such places cannot be avoided
the fences should be such that they can read
lily be taken down in the fall, and replaced i
the spring.
Another matter which is commonly di
regarded is
DRAINAGE.
No frst-class road can exist without the VI
ter can readily escape from its substance
well as it's surface We know of roads th
are pretty we'll arched that absorb water
readily and hold 1t 30 long that sma
shower in summer will reduce them to h
eous condition OF mire, which will last thr'
or four days even in the most favorAb
weather. And in the spring it seems as
they would never get settled" A drain
tile, or stone, or brush, or any other mater
al which will act as a dram anywhere, wit
an occasional outlet at the sides, will pro
an efectual remedy.
WATER BARS,
as frequently constructed, are an uumitig
ted nuisance. On one of the four routes fro
our ranch " to Springfield, we have count
inside of mile, 10 water bars. not one
which can be crossed at moderate IF
without imminent danger of being throw
from the wagon. Fifteen of them are on
grade 90 light that horse could very east
but for their presence, take a buggy along
smart trot either way. IL wOuld seem
if the mind that planned such impros
ents must be instIgated by a malicious !
re 10 prevent the increase OF che hum
race Ii water bars must be made, tb
should be raised from the surface Of the 70
bya grad, al ascent, with no depression
gutter to give jolt.
THE FORM OF THE ROAD
should be an arch or crown, So that wa
will readily escape to the cutters at the sid
It is far better to rely upon is form to
rid of water than to depend on water bars
We are not conscious OF having advapt
auy new ideas on this subject We have CIV
similar advice in these columns more th
oncs before. Ii continued agitation Of
suhiect shall set farmers and road builders
thinking upon the ID utter, it Is all that
expeet.-Farmey and Record.