, 1875-08-15
HOPEFUL IMPROVEMENTS IN PAVING

burg, and carefully observed by Commls-
sioner PRMD1vn19 when he was at the East,
may be rendered very sarviceable to Chicago.
This is in repairing the wooden-block pave
ments that are hopelessly ruined, and on
streets where the property owners refuse to
repaye. The Board Of Public Works have
recognized the opportunity, and have begun
to 1ay the cement in certain localities Of the
condition described A sample Of the pave
ment may be seen on Adams street, just west
of the bridge. It is composed of the fol-
lowing Ingredients: l. A fine gravel, which
can be obtained easily and cheaply on the
so as to run off all the watery portions,
and leave it thick, compact substance.
8. These two are mixed with 8 Ger
tain proportion Of cement, adding q
little sulphur to the composition, which
seems to facilitate more perfect chemical
union of the various Ingredients. This forms
the compound, which may be made harder o.
softer according to the relative proportions
of the component parts. It is laid with the
coarser material at the bottom and the finer
at the top, and then rolled Comparatively
little rolling is required, however, as the sub
stance adheres and packs naturally. It is
then hard and smooth, with certain degree
of elasticity. It is said to have remarkable
durability, and resists equally the influence
Of the frost and the heat. In Philadelphia,
where it has been laid for several years, it is
reported as in apparently as good condition
as at first.
This composition can be put down over the
wooden pavements going into decay, at even
less cost, it is found, than to repair them by
taking up the old, rotten blocks and supply
ing their places with new ones. The holes
and sunken places are filed with the ooarser
parts Of the composition, and then the paste
is laid over the whole evenly, giving just
such surface as If there were an entire new
pavement of this material. It has been found
that the cost Of repairing the pavements in
this manner is only 80 cents q squire yard,
which would amount to about SLIGO linear
foot, or so cents on each side Of the street.
At this comparatively small cost, with the
necessity for improving certain thoroughfares,
and the desirable results to be achieved, the
Board Of Public Works will be justified in
making very extensive improvements in this
way at the expense Of the general public.
There is also hopeful outlook for con-
siderable improvement in the character Of the
block pavements. The experience Of many
years has demonstrated that the accessories
formerly used in the original N1corsoN pave
ment, such as the underlying boards, the
strips. nails, and tar, may all be dispensed
with to positive advantage, and at q great
saving in cost, The quiclness Of the decay
in the block pavement comes mainly from
the rotting Of the wood; this has moro to do
with it than the wear and tear Of use. The
suggestion Of round cedar-posts, which farm
ers have always found the most durable in
the ground, probably arose from noting this
circumstance. The posts are used in their
natural size and shape, cut some inches long,
and set in the ground just as the oblong pine
blocks are now located. There are two nota-
BILE advantages in the new style, viz:
~ The pressure Of the wheeling against the
edges isnever evenly distributed on account
OF the circular form Of the blocks, and (2)
the cedsr-posts last longer in the ground
than the pine blocks. This new style Of
pavement has had trial Of several years in
Detroit, aud is reported there to be superior
to the old pine blocks. 1t has been recently
laid here on Market street, between Madison
and Adams, and also to some extent on the
West Side. The cedar can be obtained as
easily and cheaply as pine, and, if its substi-
tuition will make the change described, it will
be great public blessing to Chicago.
The telegraph reports the arrival OF Mess1s.
Moopx and SANKEy from Liverpool at New
York. Mr.. Moopx is going to Northfeld,
Mass, for .two-months' rest, and SANzEY,