The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1874-05-22
TIE :EEZ,S.
FRIDAY, MAY god, 1874.
CORRESPONDENCE.
Public Roads.


Mr.. EDITOR During the winter the cond-
ton of the public roads was reported, and sug.
gestions in regard to repairing them were discuss
ed by correspondents from different parts Of The
county. But it appears TO me that now the
mud has dr.el up and exposed the depth and
extent of holes and ruts in the road is the time
10 determine what repairs are to be made and
certainly the time the work should be done.
From the character of the soil over which Tie
Bel Air and Edgewood road passes, for three or
four miles from Bel Air, nothing that has yet
been tried SO we'll stands the test ofsprng thaw-
ing or long continued rains as stone roads. In
fact, q few weeks ago those portions stoned were
the only portions over which loaded wagon
could be driven with any security of getting along
at all. have been told that gentleman Of libcr-
al ideas, living near Bel Air, has offered if the
stone are hauled to have them broken and placed
on the road at his own expense, which seems to
me to be the greater art of the cost, to ill
the gap in the pike opposite "lIomestead Farm"
which gap, for some weeks, has been scarcely
passable. Now If have been correctly informed,
it is reflection on the enterprise of the commu-
nifty us well rs q sad lack of appreciation of the
advantages of good roads, that the stones have
not before now been haulcd for the united efforts
ofteams owned within short circuit could prob
badly haul enough in one day to pave the I'm.
stoned space.
About one mile lower down the road, where
travel was once 20 much impcded by mud holes in
wet weather, we now have space oftwCnty rods
more, nicely IulSCu, SluuCu slOUeu, ana Sc
cure against the action Of frost rain. For this
desirable improvement learn the travelling pub
lie are indebted to the generosity of citizen
living near by. IT'S pleasant to contemplate
generous actions or noble deeds, and | scarcely
ever pass over the road without thinking that if
there are any who are ambitious TO show evdcn-
ces of good citizenship, they would do well to
grease their carts and follow his example.
! The new pike that was put down over the soft
ground near Emmorton, last fall, did not cut
b., ,,,rl, MOI tipn los ptnr hpt has,
come pretty well settled, and bids fair TO be a
good road for some years TO come; and several of
the farmers near here, no doubt seeing the ad.
vantages of good stone road, in cleaning their
ltlelds for spring blowing, with commcndabe
forethought have hauled The stone on the road,
or in piles very near it, and many Of them have
since been used with good effect on the road, but
ut serious loss Of labor and material, as the
work had to be done when the mud was deep,
consequently requiring three times the quantity
of stone it would when the roads are dry. /
would here respectfully suggest to farmers
throughout the county generally, that if when
removing stone from their fields they would
place them at some accessible point on or near
the public roads, lin many instances it would he
no inconvenience to them,) it would often great
ly facilitate the road supervisor in giving them
better roads, thus getting rid Of their refuse
stone to profit and advantage. BARCLAY.
May 18Th, 1871.