The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-04-08
IMPROVING COUNTRY
ROADS.


The following valuable essay, con.
tributed to the forthcoming volume Of
Transactions of the New York State
Agricultural Society by Elk. President
James Wood, is published here in adj
vance by the kind permission of Score
tary Smith:
'sThe Road Question" shows great
vitality. For a number Of years it has
claimed much attention in public dis
cussions, in the press of all sorts. and,
as legitimate result, in the halls of
legislation. 1t is healthful sign that
it will not ''down." Evidently there is
demand for better roads which must
be met, and the discussion will continue
until tho difficult problem is solved.
That the problem is difficult one is
proved by the fact no one in the public
press, or in the State legislatures, has
as yet been wise enough to present q
scheme that meets all the requirements
Of the situation. But the difficulties in
the path should not deter US from
pressing on, step by step, until its de-
sired end is reached.
Many of the writers who have treat
ed the subject-and some of them have
written with great ability--have quite
OVERSIGHT the mark by recommending
too much. They have held up the
examples of European roads, which
have been built and are maintained
under conditions very different from
our own, some of which we do not de-
sire ever to see in America. The mod.
ern railway makes the building Of
main thorough roads unnecessary, and
demonstrates the advisability Of con-
centrating attention upon the improve
ment of local roads. The European
standards Of excellence are not practi-
cable for us on many accounts. Our
population is much less dense, and our
distances are greater. Labor is not so
abundant, and is much more costly.
We have not such accumulations OF
wealth in our rural populations. Our
climate, in the Northern States, is more
destructive, with its extremes of heat
and cold, and its fluctuations from ex.
cessive moisture to severe drouth. We
do not have the parental governments
to maintenance, down to the minutest
care, Of our undertakings. We must,
in the first place, "cut our coat Accord
ing to our cloth, = and, in the next place,
we must SO cut and make it as to have
it ft the wearer and be suited to his
needs. Nearly all the schemes that
have been offered have involved toe
much expense, and the magnitude Of
the outlay required has proved fatal to
them. Of course they have been re-
jected. So far as the improvement Of
our roads depends upon the taxation Of
our farmers, all successful plans mus,
be based upon the amount Of expendi-
ture that the present condition of our
agricultural interests will warrant. We
have our ideals in many things which
we can never realize, and there are
many things that would be Of real ben
eft to us which we must forego because
VS. cannot afford them, When our
discussion on the road question has
been carried on upon practicable lines,
SO as to bring out clear comprehen.
sion Of the situation, it will not be long
before our needs are met by suitable
legislation, and the plans adopted will
be carried into successful execution.
1t is my present purpose to suggest
methods for the permanent improvement
Of existing roads in successive stages
that can be pursued as far as may seem
to be desirable. or as far as the means
at disposal will warrant. This plan has
the advantage OF gradual develop
ment. which, if intelligently undertak-
en-, will tend, while it is obtaining the
object desired in the most economical
manner, to educate the public in thu
work of improvement, and will stimu-
late in them desire to ego on nntt
perfection
DRAINAGE.
The first consideration in the i'm
proyement of existing roads, as in tn.
proper construction of new ones, is tn,
removal of water. This includes botl
the surface water from rain and melting
snow, and the water that is in the sub
soil from whatever source it may come
This applies to all kinds of clays and
loans. Where the subsoil is grave
the natural drainage may accomplish al
that is desired, but in these cases th'
speedy removal Of surface water is i'm