Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-02-01

Road Improvement.

mind again, and consequently the press
is calling attention to the matter, and
inviting a discussion on the subject.
A friend sends us a circular without
the name Of the author, on this subject,
from which W. make the following ex-
tracts:
kind of roads, win add just SO much to
the value OF farms lying upon or contig-
uous to such Improvements.
Economical and reliable means for
the movement Of your productions from,
and your supplies 10 your homes would
increase the value of the former in the
market to which taken, and lessen the
cost of the latter; on both YOU would be
large gamers over the present system of
doing business. There would be en-
larged Inducements to increase your
productions, and you will have increased
means for the purchase of all kinds of
needful supplies.
Increasing your purchasing powers
would enable you to make any improve
ments that must otherwise be long de-
ferred. perhaps never made; you are
now debarred from the full exercise of
| NObi lNtuibitSs Nodi DONGl lOl DlOIuC-
ton is circumscribed, your desires and
wants are far from being complied with
as they might be under other conditions.
Large investments in lands, teams and
implements, coupled with dispositions
TO make the best possible use of the same,
are in a great degree neutralized by
want Of good roads. All this may be
| changed for the better, by construction
of first-class turnpikes, over which the
products of the country can be moved
economically, and with dispatch, at
such times as they are in best demand.
These are built in the most substantial
manner; poorly constructed roads are
of no practical use; they may be cheap
at first, but are always expensive in the
end, because they do not confer any
lasting substantial benefit.
In construction, probably, the most
important feature is proper drainage.
Without this, the best of material will
be wasted. 1t might as well be poured
into the swamps alongside of the com
mon highways, as to be placed upon a
poorly graded, badly drained super
structure.
The cost may seem to be an insuper-
able objection, but if spread out upon
territory two miles each side and run
through ten years on tax duplicate, it
would not be so great as some might
suppose. Four miles in width and one
in length embrace an area OF twenty-five
hundred and sixty acres. At eighty
cents per acre, this would amount to
two thousand and forty-eight dollars,
this sum per mile will furnish the re-
gion described with good stone roads.
The increase in crops, and the timber
which would be marketed from this
region on good roads, over what will be
done without them, will pay a large por-
ton of the cost.
Taking up the matter at the first point,
building the roads furnishes labor and a
market for supplies and material that
go into something of great utility, to all
residents, and those who pass through
the region. 1t is certainly a good thing
to engage if possible, the labor of the
country in enterprises which are going
to be of greatest benefits to all in every
possible way.
The application of labor to the con-
struction of enduring structures which
all may use with profit and pleasure is
desirable, and may be considered as fix
ing foundations on which shall securely
rest many future useful enterprises.
Regarding who will be most benefited,
the interest of all are so neal alike that
they can hardly be separated; but prob
ably next after those who may reap some
benefit from construction comes the
farming community.
The loss of time endured by farmers
in consequence of impossible roads is a
serious drawback to their prosperity.
Country roads in their natural condition
are only passable in the season when the
farmers time is most valuable, that is
the period during which he should be
planting, cultivating or harvesting his
crops. Unless he attends to these in
season, his volume of production is
largely reduced and hence the cost of
the same is increased; he is under a
general expense for mel employed by
the month the maintenance of the same,
family expenses, cost or keeping of ami
mails, taxes and so forth. All these
items accumulate against him whether
employed or idle.
All these reduce or lessen his profits
and the wonder is, that he has done so
well under such adverse circumstances
Change these for the better by good
roads, and his prosperity takes at once
a long step forward, enlarge orincrease
his powers by giving him the oppor-
tunity to make full time, and he will
not let the opportunity pass unim-
proved.
Well built roads involve complete
drainage of the country, largely inn
proving its sanitary conditing. reducing
loss and cost from sickness, and the
more the subject is analysed the more
will appear resulting benefits which will
continue to multiply themselves.
The next class that will be substan-
TALLY benefited are residents of the
towns and cities engaged in commercial
pursuits; to these will flow an increase
and more steady volume of business,
for which reason it can be more econo-
mically transacted. C~heapness of pro-
duction on both sides will largely in
crease the c~onsumptive demand of each
party. The soundness of this doctrine
has so many illustrations that no argu-
ment need be made in proof thereof.
Now if all the parties whose interest
in this matter is o common one, will
take hold of it in the spirit which
should govern partners in business, the
matter may be easily carried to a sue
cessful issue and even more than is
claimed for it can be accomplished
Prairie Farmer.