The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-01-12
COUNTY ROADS.

The pregnant fact that the west, laden down
with heavy crops of grain, pork and beet and
Astounding IN all the elements Of wealth, is yet
on the eve of almost general bankruptcy on ac-
count of phenomenal ten weeks embargo on
travel and land transportation by reason OF
impossible roads, is reviving in the papers as
well as farmers and business mems meetings
An animated discussion of the great problem
how to make roads that will be good all the
wear round. An intelligent Cook County far
rner, after considering the subject at some
length in the Chicago Tribune, concludes
The west have had dnged into their ears so
long, stone.roads, pank-roads, gravcLroaus,
cinder roads. none of which are generally
available they seem to think that mere
windy theorists know all about roads; and,
not having these patent materials, nothing can
mo done Here and there, among reading
communities, it is becoming known that the
xvest has in its only available material the
foundation for really good roads for about ten
months in the year. This material is the SUP
soil itself. The prime necessity only is well
graded surface, not too wide, with bitches on
each side, and running consecutively over ele
vations and hollows alike. 1t solves the ques
TO keep the roads dry. All that is necessary
further is lateral drains along holows, to carry
AWAY the accumulated water. In fact, sys
tenn like this would not only give us tolerably
rood and well drained roads, but it would, al
the same time go good way towards solving
the question of FARM rainage, Other
question of the greatest importance to western
farmers, after that of good roads.
What are the means towards this end! Ag
,-discussion,- keeping the matter con
stantly before the people interested; In TINS
matter the metropolitan press nave done lhei'
duty; the agricultural press have worn inc
subject threadbare; our boards of agriculture
have struggled with the subject; Legislature:
have tinkered at laws relating to the matter
and all have accomplished good. The coun
try press only have not given the subject TIT
attention it demands. Some few of them have
worked earnestly. The country press is thu
other great lever that should constantantly b
used in furthering the work, by abandonin!
the old dogma that rock-mctaing and grave
only can give lis good roads. 1t never will
for the reason those materials cannot be had
The keynote to be constantly struck is, well
graded earth roads, running constantly forward
with ample hes-water-wayS-at eacl
side.
1t has been said the people themselves ar
10 blame. I nUcT luc UcN III" III llllboiS,
it is measurably good one and none worke
more earnestly for its passage than the men
bers of the mallgned board of agriculture, l.
and out of the legislature,-the power owe
and control of roads and bridges is vested /
the commissioners in the respective town
Those who have waited for vote OF powt
from the inhabitants to buy machines and III
plements for road-making have gone withol
roads The few who have taken the bull b
the horns" under the law, which is..mandator.
have made progress, and are finding good +
suits why" said an old farmerto the wrl
er ofthis some three years ago at a road-mal
ing trial in Central Illinois, IF we had such
road as this | have just seen finished, alon
every section line in our town, the crops alor
saved during the wet harvest, through IL
drainage which follows the making OF road
would have more than paid the whole expense
The road commissioners of that town saw IL
point They bought implements and machine
and did not wait for gravelbanks to be ;
down in their nelghborhood.