Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-04-02
PRIZE ESSAYS ON ROAD MAKING.
Valuable Suggestions on Construction and
Maintenance


was duly made last October, and the
three prize essays have appeared IN book
form, together with five other essays, the
writers of which have received honor
able mention.
The first prize paper is by Henry Irwin,
of the engineering department, Canadian
Pacific railroad, Montreal. His essay is
based on experience while in charge
of a district adjoining large town
where some of the finest macadamized
roads are to be found, and while driv-
ing for many years over some of the
worst highways in the adjacent county.
First, Mr.. Irwin shows that practi-
cally level road around a hill, though
it increases the distance one mile, would
effect saving in work equivalent to
50. $50 a year, supposing the road TO be
used by 100 farmers. In hilly country
roads may generally with advantage fol-
low along water courses, railway fash
ion. The steepest grade of public road
should not exceed one foot in twelve, and
this for not more than 100 feet. A good
load may be taken up grade Of one in
twenty for length Of 400 feet. This is
the steepest slope allowable on a road
with much traffic. A long stretch of
perfectly level road is not desirable on
account of drainage.
Drainage is the first item to be looked
after, and is second in importance to
none. Money is well spent that secures
a firm, dry roadbed. A road heaved by
the frost means a road badly drained.
Country roads may be macadamized for
a width of only eight feet if extreme
economy is necessary. But for constant
traffic the macadamized portion should
be sixteen feet wide. Where but one
sidewalk is constructed it should be on
the north or east sides, for there the sun
dries the walk more quickly. When the
roadbed is graded it should be rolled
several times with roller of not less
than ten tons. In macadamizing hand
broken stone is much superior to that
crushed by a machine. which is gener-
ally of irregular shape and does not
readily bind together, an essential mat
ter. The best time TO apply the stone is
during hot weather in the spring and
fall. In dry summer weather loose
stones should be used for patching the
surface or else stored in heaps along the
roadside
There is nothing strikes European
more on his arrival in North America,
Mr.. Irwin says, Ethan the excellence of
the railroads and the inferiority of the
roads. This inferiority may partly be due
to the fact that the rich, bothin the United
States and Canada, almost invariably
live in the cities, where the roads are
better kept up, or else in the immediate
of towns which they can
reach by rail. The country roads seem
to be principally used by farmers, to
whom time seems TO be no object, and
who do not apparently realize that good
roads can be profitable, since they do not
actually place dollar bills in their hands,
and who seem TO think that the only
way TO increase their income Is to sell
more produce. no matter how much it
may cost to draw it into market, and ac-
cordingly they spend greater part of
their lives slowly plodding over bad roads
without a thought Of trying to improve
them"
Good roads admit Of larger loads at
greater speed; Of use in wet weather
when horses would otherwise be idle:
they practically shorten distances. en-
courage travel, benefit trade, enhance |
the value of lands and save money. 1t |
has been estimated that in Illinois full !
load can be carried ON the roads only |
three months in the year; two-thirds of !
a load three months, and half load six /
months. Good. permanent macadam- |
lied roads there would reduce the cost of |
hauling three-fourths The defective |
of Illinois cost it annually an
extra $i5, 100000 for hauling, and depre-
ciate its farms $3.50. 100000.
The second prize paper is by David II. |
Bergey, of North Wales, Pa.
Mr.. Bergey, like Mr.. Irwin. approves
most highly the Telford and macadam
systems. For either system the bed of |
the road should receive some preparation
before the work of construction begins
It should be excavated, leaving four
inch elevation or ridge in the middle,
and gradually slope toward the edges.
This saves some material in the construc-
lion of the road, besides giving the road
way an arched contour. This feature is
especially il thin macadam.
The board Of adjudicators awarding
ihese prizes, consisting of seven prom I
nent Philadelphians, join in the follow
ng recommendations to the committee
IN better roads.
First-That in the improvement Of
'oads the macadam system, consisting
If small angular fragments, in sizes not
from two to two and half
nches in their longest dimension. ac-
;ording to quality, should be used,
a stone surface is both practi-
able and UNSUITABLE.
Second-That the minimum width of
he metaled surface for a single track
hould be deinirod (s4 feet, Of such depth
Is the amount of traffic and character of
he subsoil may require, to be deter
mined by the engineer in charge.
Third-That the bed to receive the