Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1893-11-30

road Improvement, and conclude that
in it there is remedy for all the de
fects which may be encountered. But
we are convinced that the best improve
ment Of our highways viii combine ut
least three essential features. which
are:
!. Il road embaukment of sufficient
height to be at least above overflow
from extraordinary rainfall and sutl-
GENTLY browning to shed the water
readily, and wide enough to accommo-
date the travel and not of greater
width
., That the road shall have open
bitches on each side Of sufficient capac-
ity To carry all flood water from the
roadway and from the lands adjoining
into the nearest water course without
hinarauce The surface or open
bitches should have such perfect
grade that no water will lind lodg-
ment along the line Of the road on
either side.
3. That two lines OF tile drains be
placed parallel with the roads, one on
each side, at the base Of the embanll-
ment.
The uuderdrains should be laid at the
depth of three or more feet. The size
of the tile will depend on the length Of
the drain and the fall, but it IS probable
that they should not be less than four
inches in diameter in any case and as
much larger as the needs may require
The three essential features named en-
brace .nree systems the removal of
the surface water, speedily and effect
ually; the removal of the water of sat
uration remaining after the removal of
the surface water, and the prevention
OF the flow of soil water under the
road-bed. The underdrains should
have a uniform descent or grade To
some natural stream or outlet, where
the water discharged will flow away
freely and at no time back up ia the
drain. The browning Of the road
should be sufficient To cause the water
falling upon the surface Of the road 10
flow readily through the side bitches
If it fuiis 10 flow away and remains in
the ruts and depressjons il will increase
the amount Of mad and the incon-
venience Of travel Roads in such a
condition should have road machines
passed over them rs often IS necessary
10 make and keep tae surface Lowell
II IS a mistaken idea i.at an under
drain laid ia tae @djle af the road
will Drain the surface ~ thc road The
travel and the action 81 the water fall
ing upon the road viii rs eHeetual!y
cover the surface thar 10 water on the
the road Will find its way down 10 the
drain thus land To the contrary. the
horse tracks and ruts VIII hold water
like earthen vessels until ii is removed
by evaporation or otherwise Roads
gravelcd and drained rs proposed viii
cost from $500 to $500 mile, but when
done they viii be good roads for eleven
months and commercially passabie ths
remainder of the year with little
timely repair Where gravel and stone
are not 80 he had at = reasonable cost
we know Of no improvement 50 salts
factory in all respects As the roads well
graded and sufficiently drained Where
gravel or broken stone can be had il
will be found that the thorough drain
age Of the road as proposed viii save
half the gravel or stone that would
otherwise be required 10 make good
road. A dry foundation 70 build upon is
the most important factor in road con-
struction. Tile drains may be used to
intercept water pereoluting through
the earth Of the higher ground ad-
jacent and likely 70 interfere with the
road, or springs or secret places under
tae roadbcd may be drained ont with
tile SO Us not 10 interfere with tie em-
banllmeuL After a road has been put
into good condition and thoroughly
0nderdrained nothing need 10 done eN-
cept to keep the surface Of the travel
way smooth and the open bitches free
Erc~ anr drift accommodations