The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1892-05-12
Improved Country Roads.

1t is pleasing reflection that the sub
| ject of good country roads is at last Sc
riously concerning those whose interests
are directly at stake. The farmer and
small storekeeper all oyer the country
are at last waking up to the Importance
of the question, and the subject is under
general discussion in the agricultural
communities, both through the weekly
papers and in individual conversation.
| The Dispatch has preached the gospel
of good country roads for years past.
The crude and undeveloped conditions
of society which recent settlement in
volved in many Western localities have
partially passed away. Except in the
frontier sections of the extreme North
west and Southwest, the conditions at
tending American agricultural life are
such as favor the improvement of the
farmers environments. It has been SO
for years past, and the gospel of good
roads was certain to spread and meet
tional time had elapsed.
1t is noteworthy circumstance that
the first real impetus given to the press
ent movement for good roads came
through the Wheelman's Association
Bicyclists had acknowledge of localities
and the active interest in the improve
ment of the roadways necessary to inau-
guratiDg and maintaining the campaign
for good roads, and they have carried on
that campaign SO as to insure its success
within measurable period of time.
Concurrently with the Development of
steam transportation the public roads |
have come to be treated with compare
tive Indifference. The railroad had for
SO long a time been looked upon as the
only available means of access from one
important locality to another and had |
extended SO largely into the material |
affairs and the daily lives of even the
farmer that the more cumbersome and |
slower modes and instrumentalties of |
transportation received but little atten-
ton. If only on the score of wear and
tear, both on men and appliances, the
Improvement of country roads is deserv-
ing of the highest thought which can be
bestowed On it by the farmer. But on
bringing him into close and more socia-
bic relations with the communities
around him, and in the consequent i'm
provement and Identification of his sur
roundings, the improved country road
assumes prime Importance.
Farmers should take lesson from the
railroads in this respect. They should
reflect that it is the local traffic on a
given line of road which constitua rs that
roads great source of revenue Addi-
tional passenger travel and the added
trade which comes from closer relations
existing among contiguous Communities
it is which the railroaders make their
most supreme efforts to cultivate. With
good country roads localities will fill up
with population more rapidly; intercom-
is easier, pleasanter and less
for the individual. Inter>
change of commodities, which is another
name for trade, is promoted locally, and
local markets, which are otherwise never
thought of, are established
Life in rural districts in European
countries is looked upon at all seasons
as not merely tolerabe, but as being
more pleasant than in the large cities.
With US the very name of country is abs
horrent to the ears of city folks, except
for pleasure purposes and in the sums
mer season. With the advent of good
with be changed and country life will
soon possess the same charms with us
which it possesses in older lands