St. Landry democrat., 1881-08-27
Care OF the Roadside.

the public highway is generally in ba
condition in all respects. No revenil
is derived from it by the public or tn
individual whose land ad joins it. 1t
appearance is often highly offensive
both to persons who live near it, and t.
those who pass along the road. 1t is il
many cases the depository of stumps
stones, bushes and other sorts OF rub
bish that are drawn from the fields anC
dumped down to get them out of tht
way When this is the case q large
portion Of the space is likely to become
occupied by rank weeds and bushes
The seeds Of the former ripen, and are
carried by the wind on the cultivated
land in the vicinity. When the ground
becomes covered with bushes they gen
orally extend under the fence and en-.
croach on the ad jacent fields occupied
by grass, grain, or cultivated crops,
Fires often get start in these weeds
and bushes, destroy the fences and do
other damage. The untidy appearance
OF this strip of land gives a very bad
appearance to the entire farm on which
it borders. 1t diminshes the value of
the estate if it is for sale, and American
Many farmers decline to do anything
toward improving the land beside a
highway because they think that it be-
longs to the public absolutely. and that
they would derive no benefit from
their labors if they took the best care
of it. Such, however, is not the case.
The public has only qualified right to
the land set apart for road. LII the
highWaysis for any cause discontinued
the absolute ownership of the land is
Immediately vested in the owner ofthe
property to which it once belonged.
Even while a portion of the tract is
occupied by road. the owner of the
adjoining land has the right to improve
the remainder and 10 have the benefit
OF its products, providing he does moth
ing to injure travel or interfere with
the work of persons who have charge
of the road. He is entitled to the
grass or other crops that grow upon it.
Local laws afford protection to shade,
fruit and ornamental trees planted by
the side of a road, as we'll as to their |
products. Indeed, the laws of several
States encourage the planting and care
of these trees by -atfording a rebate of
taxes when snch trees are planted and
cultivated. They also impose severe
penalties on persons who injure them
in any manner. In most of the West
ern States the lawmakers have done all
that was in their powerto encourage the
improvementzof roadsides
!. i As the strip of land between the farm
and Travelled portions Of the road IS SO
narrow, it is not Economical tolplow it
with view of raising cultivated crops
In fact, it is not desirable to plow it, as
the operation would cause it to wash
and would prevent it from being used
by travellers on foot 1t is desirable to
keep the larger portions of it in grass.
by keeping the surface free from stones
and other impediments the grass can be
cut and cured like that growing in
field. 1t is generally the case in por-
lions OF the country settled for con
time that the land by the side
Of a road will be occupied with white
clover. The excellent drainage afforded
oy the ditch at the side and the fertil-
zers blowing from the road-bed, both
avor the growth of white clover.
When this valuable plant obtains pos l
session OF the land it can be used for !
'asturage. Sheep and other stock can {
'e turned onto it once a week. or as s
tten as desirable, and left in care of a {
person. The roots and I
Keeping stalks of white Glove are ex-
client for protecting the banks, and $
hey will naturally extend into the sides II
t the bitches and prevent their wash :,
ng. The iumiciousg use tof "a small y
mount OF white clover seed win insure D
he introduction Of the plant on roadsides. a
The location under consideration is ;"
cry favorable in all respects for the n
reduction Of trees that will furnish q
.uits and nuts. 1t is well drained. and u
cod drainage is essential to zsueeessfu s.
rec culture The washing from the P
Dad furnishes excellent fertilizing ma IL
erials. , The road itself lis Every con- q
enient for transporting the trees as IL
Fell as manure and mulch. The trees q
re where they may be seen every day u
nd their condition noticed. 1t has u
ong been noticed that the presence of Z
ne dust, such as is constantly rising
'om a Travelled road, is favorable to
ne growth of trees and the production
fruit and nuts. Trees planted by the re
de OF a road have sufficient space in fe
'hich to grow, do not injure annual fts
rops, andstheir prod1ctssar clear gain. =
lany fruit trees and all .nut-bearine T
'ees are ornamental as well as useful. v
he best fruit trees to plant by the side G,
a road are those, that produce late ~
arieties Of apples. Early varieties OF !
pples are liable to lead persons into !.
The black walnut, pecan, 6
and hickory are all beautiful R
i'd stately trees. They serve the pur- "
ose of ornamentation asxwen as most :
our hardy forest trees, while they 8 8
Irnish, when of considerable size, AN 2.
Guidance of nuts. The trees are diff
lit to transplant, but the nuts can be q
anted in the places where trees are >,