Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-09-06
HIGHWAYS OF EUROPE.
scientifically Constructed and Maintained.
Materials Used.

scientifically Constructed and Maintained.
Materials Used.
Roads In Europe are not mere strips
Of land set apart for public use and left
10 be worn into tracks a. the necessities
Of communication may occasion. Thee
arc structures just as truly 20 are pub
lie buildings, scientifically planned
and built, and sharply differentiated
from the surrounding country. The
roadway has its given width, on levels
Is usually raised somewhat above the
adjacent land, is bordered on both sides
by deep trenches, or canals, for proper
drainago, and where necessary is sup
ported lay solid masonry. The sides are
planted with fruit, poplar, Eastwood
and ether trees or protected by stone
walls ut dangerous points, as the case
may be. All bitches, brooks and small
water courses are spanned by stone cul-
verts, often Of elaborate construction.
while projecting spurs Of rock on the
mountain slopes are pierced by tunnels.
Slanting sides are usually covered with
grass, which is kept neatly trimmed.
This prevents washing by rains and adds
permancncy 10 the structure. Many
roads, especially in the mountain re-
giOns, with their windings, buttresses,
culverts, walls and tunnels, are monu.
nents of the highest engineering skill.
The materials out of which roads arc
made in Europe may be classed un,
der three yarietics-trap, or basalt,
GRANTEES, including some Of the harder
sodimcntary rocks, and limestone.
Where the first two are easily obtaina.
Die they are exclusively used, trap be-
ing preferred to the GRANTEES. In many
regions limestone, being the only ma.
terial at hand, has TO be employed.
Trap, having the dcnscst and hardest
structure, makes the most durable road.
Being more resistant 10 crushing force
and least affected by frost, it is particu.
larly adapted to roads which are used
Tor heavy tcamiug, outwearing granite
for this purpose. Tho harder rocks Of
the granite series make very service
able roads. even for teaming, and excel
i2nt ones for driving.
Limestone roads at their best are the
finest If all for driving and riding puf-
poses. Not so hard rs the trap and
granite roads, they possess a certain de-
gree of elasticity. in virtue Of which the
carriage or bicycle rolls over them with
less jan and with a peculiar ease Of mo-
zion which cXcrts most pleasing effect,
he nearest approach to which is tina.
experienced in riding on a good asphalt
pavement. This elasticity is most
narkod AT thai period after a rain when
The surface has st thoroughly, but has
not become dry enough to be rubbed
into dust. Unfortunately. owing to the
softness Of thcmaterial, limestone roads
ictorioratc rapidly and require constant
care TO keen them IN good order They
also soften easily under the action Of
frost and water, SO that in the spring
and during rainy seasons they are liza.
ble 10 become heavy.
Material for repairs is kept constant
ly on hand mt short intervals on the
sides of many highways, particularly in
Germany. The 1ucb Is carried TO the de.
sired spot in pieces II or Is inches in
diameter, and these are broken up by
the road rcpairers into fragments : to
inches in diameter and piled in little
heaps ready for use.
The best roads have only gravel
enough mingled with and covering the
upper layer of small stones to bind these
firmly together and make a smooth sur
face. More than this amount serves to
make dust and mud and to impair the
efficiency Of the road. frequently the
small stones, well cemcnted together,
appear as part OF the surface, like
those in certain kinds of concrete pave
ments. Roads Of thG best construction
DO not soft1p appreciably under rain
and can be used as comfortably II
stormy as IL pleasant weather. New
York Post