The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-01-24
The Farm.
Farmers, Gardeners, Horticuiturists,
Dairy and Stockmen are requested to
WTite for this Department.
More About Roads.

there is thu same perpetual subject of
conversation and discussion about the
Roads, especially in wet weather and
winter. In the case OF special roads
that are the only outlets to railroad
transportation for large manufacturing
establishments, there are other ques-
tions involved than those in which the
agricultural interests are chiefly to be
consulted. That the whole community
receive benefit from manufacturing
enterprises they admit, but they do
not always consider that these are am
pie to repay all the expense and incon'
venience, to the rest Of the world, OF
highways nearly impossible. That the
owners of the Cecil Paper Mill would
be great gamers by having road as
good at all seasons as eng ne ering skill
and labor can make it, there is no
doubt. That they are willing to help
in any proper plan to accomplish this
purpose is not denied, though the pub
lie would be much pleased no doubt to
hear any definite offer from them. They
know as we'll as others that what mi ght
be very good road, when used only
by wagons whose average load was one
ton and under, becomes a very poor one
for loads Of two to three tons. Thus a
large part of the work is for their ex-
elusive benefit. We that have lived in
Cecil Co. long enough can we'll remem.
Der when the chief bad roads of the
section were through Rising Sun and
Harrsville in the opposite direction.
Then it was the Chrome Teams that
played havoc with our highways III
transporting this mineral from the
place of its production in Pa. to water
transportation at Port Deposit. Then
our County had all the expense and nc
direct revenue from the mines. A few
blacksmiths did business in shoeiue
and few farmers supplied teams dur.
ing periods of leisure to Go hauling
Much of this road is now passably good
Some of it was made passable by the
corduroy process then, and the rails are
still visible and serving good purpose
that have been buried there more than
twenty five years. 10 passing over 9
part of it recently, frienl spoke Of
having seen pair of mules drawn out
of quasmire near West Nottingham
Academy, where they were hopelessly
swamped. The same place is there yet
but no heavy teams break through the
surface now in ordinary winters. 1t
takes something like steam thrcsher
to show these hidden dangers. We
mention these former experiences to
show that there were very few syste-
matte and we'll made roads in Cecil in
former days. The "Elktou, Andora
& Lewisville Plank Road is marked
on our old Cecil Go. maps. but all trac.
es Of planks had gone ere the writer
first saw it.
The Corduroy seems to have been
the most permanent form, and where
the poles were wei! laid and covered
deep with gravel that did not wear or
wash off, it has we'll paid the invest
ment. Where they were laid near the
top and only covered with clay they are
inevitably rough and when once rotten
and partly broken are worse than use
less. 1t is evident that this is not on,
way to do it. Chestnut rails are not
plenty as formerly. We want to 60
further back for our models. The old
Roman roads Of Europe have withstood
the storms and frosts of centuries and
where they have had some care are
good highways yet. If there is not
enough rock to make such road to
Cecil Paper Mill from Rising Sun, and
that nearly on the line OF the road it is
time that new road was open. on land
that does have some possible bottom to
it. where the material can be had at
little first cost. There is no necessity
that Rising Sun should continue to be
the only shipping point for this traffic
if it must be maintained at great ex-
pense to the county over an uDneces =
sary length Of road. Give them a
chance at permanent road a mile and
half shorter and their expenses will be
lessened. the present roads relieved and
lett fit for other traffic and everybody
will reap the benefit.
Let a competent board of examiners
be appointed, one of whom may be Sc
lected by this company, to consider the
whole question and report what can be
done, what it might cost and what the
mill owners are willino IN do Nh,ro