New-York tribune., 1876-01-25

est while asphalt lies between the TWO anu 'ei!
near 70 the stono But unless the stone be OF oAcc
lent quality for pavemcnts' 1t taxes 'h0 'e'oNu
place. and asphalt tho first.
p Their Tirst Costa good asphalt pavement OH
a concrete foundation and therefore greatly sipc-
rior to the specimens laid directly on the former
navemeot in FIfth-ava. at Wortrs monument, anu
in FicbteeutL-st east Of FOurth-ayc., can be con
tucted at present prices for So 80 per square yard
inclusive of 30 per cent profit TO the contractor on
tha cnre cost This somewhat exceeds the first cost
of wooden pavement but is less by at least ~ per
ward than that Of n stone pavement on concrete
foundation IN economy of first cost, therefore,
wood stands fysi, asphalt second, and stone hra'
9. Cos, Of Naia'epqnc and RcpGir.-under this
head thc lifo or endurance OF tho pavement must De
considered, and the total expense must cover
p,,iod rcprrsenting that endurance. and leave Inc
pavement as good as new at the end OI tli' tl'c'
The order OF merit will be, stone Tot asphat secoho'
bnt not far removed from the stone. and wood MIRA
If the asphalt be good the stone will havet he Doth
hard and torrh in order 10 MAINTAIN the first place
g. Fdcilty 0T Cicapsipg.-Both mud md Dust ad-
here with moro tcnacity to wood than to stone. more
csDecially after tho hbors Of the former begin to
cr,sh and abradc. They are also more easily re-
moved from continuous surface than from one cut
up by numerous joints. The order OF merit under
this head will therefore invariably DO asphalt fret
stone second and wood MID.
.. Coarcnieace.--Mr William Haywood. Civil En-
Cueer of London, in reporting upon the relative adj
vantages OF wood and asphalt for paving purposes,
SAYS that asphalt is the snoothest, driest ceaDcst,
most pleasing the eye and most agreeable for gen
oral purposes but wood is the most quiet" Ii might
be better perhaps TO say chat the noise produced 10y
wood is Of a different kind. which may be more dls-
agreeable TO persons and so to Others stone
is tho noiseSt of all payements. Tho noise pro-
drced by wood is a constant rumble, that by
aspha't an iaccssant clicking of the horses feet,
wh very little noise from the carriage wheels, while
stone gives ont deafcaing din and rattle. from feet
and vehicle combined II the surface be kept clean
by either sweeping or washing the difference in slip
pprlncss bstvoen wood, stone that does not polish.
and asphalt is rot great. although enough perhaps
TO place asphalt last; while n horse not only falls
more frequently but rec0vers himself less often and
less easily upon is than upon the Others. Mud VIII
render either of the pavements slippery bat a'-
pAlt the most So although IT is not slippery when
very dry. or. If free from mud, when very wet.
IInd q sharp dry frost after rain or snow asphalt
and stone are generally quite dry and safe, while
wood retains its moisture and is quite slippery. In
the condition in which they are usually maintained.
slight rain adds 10 the slppcrines' % each, with
this difference. that upon asphalt and stone. tins
State becins with the rain while tho worst condl-
tion of wood eilsiies later and lasts longer vi
gard therefore to the safety OF the animals and the
convenience and comfort Of those using the street
as well as Of those living upon it, the weight Of
opinion places asphalt trs wool sccypd, and stone
rd for all srcois except those that habitualiy
crowded with heavy traffic. in which ease stone
would rise TO the rs place and asphalt drop to tho
hifd
TIE CARE OF health.
Hggcaic C0asier0foBs--A practical and general ro-
cocnit.ou of fho fact so well known to the medical
profession and indeed to maj Iity Of cultured poo
pie, thattAe pavemcnts of a city exert direct and
powerful influence upon the health OF it, population,
has never yet boon secured. Mos persons claim That
a street surface should be- hard und smooth without
beng slippery. and. a, a measure Of economy, that
it should also be durable and easily cleaned; bat
trcy &, no further. The advantages Of moi eessness
are recognized by many conducive to comfort.
but by few a. conducive tc health; while the kind
OF material used is very generally considered to be
a matter Of email moment. The hygiegic objections
20 granite are fr-i. is constant nose and diG and
secoBd it, opon joints. which collect and retain tho
surface liquids, and throw OF uOXiOns va
prrs and filthy dust In populouS towns
there is scarcly moment of silence night
or day M For.,a4.ivcs, the oWi iDrnt professor
If hygiene at MoH:lt tlic?, France. says: " rannot
co.,l Ter such perpetual vibration Vi the nerves as
harmless even for those " no have been born and
br,d in the midst Of the noise. II i certain that ~
i, q very genuine cauac Of GChjsme. and 10 it niust
be ascribcd the prevalence Of nervous tonpera-
m-nts and diseases IN largo towns As
for lnval s quIot i, OF tine first importance, AMI the
noise in the streets is the cruccst stunhlingbock
~ The way Of recovery" Ihc writings OF eminent
medical practitioners are full Of testimony 10 The
yeraicous iIncncc of street noise and din urou the
health of the population particularly upon ii'aids
and persons with sensitive nerves
he nOispne and noxiOU- oXhala'ions emanaiiuC
from the local and other putre-cent matter col
lccted and hci n the joints of stone pavemcna. con
,tiinte another sanitary objection 10 their use IN
p5pulous towns Objections to wood may bo taken
up,n the sane, and even upon stronger grounds,
fcr the material itself undcrgoc. inevitable, aud
generally oven early and rapid decay, IA Che progress
of which the poisonous gases resulting from Ncgc-
table decomposition ore thrown Oh The joints Of a
block pavement, whether of wood OF stone, con-
situtc after enlargement by wear, fully one
third OF It's ontiro area and, under the average
care the surface Of filth exposed TO evaporation
covers thre -fourths of the whole street This foul
organic matter, composed largely OF the nrine and
eXcreincnt of different animals s held in tie Joints,
ruts, aud glttcrS. whcTo II undrrSoS putrefartVa
fermentation in warm damp weather, and becomes
the fruitful source OF noxious elluyun. it floats
in tho atmosphere aud penetrate, the dwelling, in
The form Of unwhOr,o dust irritating TO the eyes
and poisonous to tho organs of respiration. These
objections apply in common 10 wood and stone.
There are others peculiar 30 wood alone. arising
from its rapid decay, its p0costy, and the spcngy
and absorbent character conferred upon it by
crushing and wear. Tho authority already quoted
saws: "Tho hygenist cannot look fayoraby upOa
street covering consisting Of porous substance