Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-03-03

| this farmer ridiculed the idea that tho
| farm horses Of Europe hauled twice as
much as his horses simply because the
roads of that continent are better than
ours. But he changed hts mind when he
saw picture of French road, showing
a French farmer with his load OF hay
On his way TO market nine miles dis
tant. There were four tons OF hay In
that Frenchman's load, or about ono
and one-third tons 10 each horse. The
surface of the road was hard and smooth.
nicely sloped In both directions, so as to
insure quick drainage. The wheels were
two and a half times as wide as those
on the American wagon, and they rolled
over the surface Of the road In man
ner that tends to make 1t hard and
smooth instead Of cutting and creating
ruts, as Is always the case when narrow
tires are used. Mr.. Potter proceeds:
Notice the height of the load; II tow
ers up among the trees. and its immense
bulk gives 1t the appearance Of an Amer
lean haystack. Compare its height with
the height of the driver who walks along
by the roadside, or with the size OF the
chaise which you see coming along i'm
mediately behind. See how easily the
horses jog along They are moving as
comfortably as you could wish, and
there is no sign of Juggling or straining
In their movements. IL you had road
like that from your farm to town, you
might do all your hauling with two
horses instead of the five you now have
and save yourself an immense expense"
Another picture shows O loaded two
wheel cart drawn by two horses and
bearing six large casks of wine, a load
aggregatlng several tons, on German
road. This immense load rolls easily
over the even surface Of the highway
Such traffic is practically impossible on
our roads, which wear out horses, har-
nesses and humanity, kill patience and
render Improbable delays at roadside
inns necessary. Viewed from any stand
point it will be seen that good road
beds pay. They save power, shorten
distance and time, increase speed, insure
comfort and safety and are good in
vestment in every respect. Roads should
be looked after with the same system
and care that are bestowed on the man
agement of other departments of gov
eminent. Their Improvement along the
lines adopted by the countries of the
old world would make every farmer
happy and independent In the conscious
ness that he is every day and every way
In touch with the great world of busi-
ness and society. On the smooth sur
face of a macadam road one horse will
haul twice the load 1t can on the best
dirt road and from five to ten times as
much as can be hauled when the dirt
road is covered with soft.mud and ruts.
The great destroyers of common earth
roads are water and narrow wheel tires.
Careful drainage is therefore important,
and the use of wide wheel tires Is Guilt
waited.
That it only requires cooperation and
perseverance to impryve our country
roads is evidenced by three or four small
towns in New Jersey. They were made
up Of a Flooding population In moderate
circumstances, doing business on q low
scale, in accordance with their poor ia
cilities for communication. When the
mud was hub deep, those who lived in
those towns stayed at home and waited
for the roads to dry. Surrounding con-
sumers were oppressed by q slack sup
ply and enhanced prices. Trade was un-
certain, and farming was carried on with
Indifferent success. But a marvellous
transformation took place when road
improvement was earnestly undertaken.
Land values increased, traffic was
quickened and enlarged, social commu-
nication became easier and more fire.
quent, schools, churches, shops, mar
ket places, and railroad stations became
more attractive as place of residence.
Equal good followed the Improvement of
the roads in Parke County, Indiana.
Several splendid gravel pixies were made,
all leading to the county seat, while all
main roads in the county, and the worst
portions of the cross roads were well
graveled. Country travel became a de-
light business increased, and a general
Frightening" up was at once noticeable.
In order to get better roads the farm
ers are urged to insist that the main
roads in their districts shall be recon-
structed and kept in repair at the ex-
pense of the State at large, instead of by
tax directed against the farmers alone.
Then they should send men to the State
Legislatures to advocate the gospel of
good roads. Any increase OF taxation
involved would be more than Offset by
the advantages and comforts conferred
by good roads, which always have a ten
dency to accumulate, improve and pros
per. This great reform, Mr.. Potter con-
cludes, must come from the people, and
most of all from the farmers. 1t Is a
reform that will benefit all and injure
none. 1t will make you broader and
better in your person and In your pos
sessions, help and hasten the happiness
of your family, shield and save the pa
tient friend that drags your wagon so
many miles from year to year, put you
on better terms with yourself and all
mankind, and leave you wondering what
sort of farmer that was who lived and
labored in sea of mire. It is a reform
that is now at the threshold Of your
State, and one that will respond to your
feeblest invitation"