Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1895-10-11
CARING FOR GOOD ROADS.
RULES OF THE LONDON ROAD IMPROVE
MENT ClATioN-EooNoMY IN
REPAIRS.


parent that more miles of good Macadam
and Telford roads have been built this
wear than ever before in the history of
this country. Nearly all of the rural vii
lages and towns have constructed thu ir
M lin thoroughfares ON scientific princi-
+ ples, and may adjoining towns are con-
nected by long boulevards that are
pleasure 10 ride over. The spirit of road
4 Improvement has even reIched remote
rural districts, ana farmers have com
bined to improve the condition of the
main roads leading from their farms to
towns or stations. If this progressive
spirit continues for a quarter of cen
turv. we shall be able to boast of the
finest and longest Macadam roads in the
world. as we now boast of the greatest
railroad mileage.
But it is one thing to construct fine
piece of roadway. and quite another to
keep it in proper repair. The neglect OF
the latter work is noticeable in many
parts of the country where good roads
were constructed several years ago, and
a little more attention should be called to
the necessity of taking proper care of
macadamized road. In two years an ex-
pensive roadway can go to ruin, and the
initial expense of constructing it will be
nearly lost A neglected macadamized
road is even worse than many of the or
binary dirt roads. Probably in the
spring the latter would be in a more de-
plorable condition, but in the summer
the half-ruined Macadam road is covered
with loose, sharp stones, and permanent
ruts are cut deep into the sides. On the
ordinary dirt road these ruts are worn
away by constant travel, but on the
Macadam road they become permanent,
and are rarely smoOthed out by wagon
wheels. Water collects in them and re-
mains there for some time. causing the
formation of mud holes, which hasten
the ruin of the road
SO important is the subject of keeping
Macadam and Telford roads in proper
repair that the Road Improvement assoc
citation of London, England, recently is
sued a circular containing Il rules for
the guidance of roadmasters in this
matter.
The rules adopted by the association
should be read and studied by every
roadmaster and supervisor. They run as
follows:
|. Never allow hollow, a rut, or puddle
to remain on road, but fill it up AT once
with chips from the stone heap.
,. Always chips for patching up and
tor all repairs durng the summer season
3. Never pat fresh stones on the road, if
by Gro s.picking and Il thorough use OF the
rake, the surface can be made smooth ana
kept at the proper strength and section.
L. Remember that the rake j. the most
useful tool in your collection, and il should
be kept close mt hand the whole year round.
). DO not spread large patches OF stone
over the whole width OF the road, but coat
the middle or horse track first ami when this
has worn in coat each OF the sides IN turn.
In moderately dry weather and ON hard
roads always pick up the old surface into
ridges six inches apart and remove all large
ana projecting stones before applying Il new
coating.
:. Never spread stones more than one
stone deep, but add Il second layer when the
first has worn in, il one coat be not enough.
:. Never shoot stones on the road and
crack them where they lie, or "a smooth sur
face will be out OF the question.
.. Never put "A stone upon the road for re.
pairing purposes that Will not freely pass in
every direction through two.nch ring,
and remember that smaller stones should be
used Tor patching and Tor all slight repairs.
10 Recollect that hard stones should be
broken to finer gauge than soft, but that the
ind,
used under any circumstances where no
steam roller is employed.
H. Never be without your ring guage; re-
member Macadams advice that any stone
you cannot easily put in your mouth should
be broken smaller.
u. Use chips, il possible, for binding new.
ly-lald stones together, and remember that
road sweepngs, horsedroppings, sods or
grass and other rubbish, when used tor this
purpose, will ruin the best road ever con.
structed.
l3. Remember the water worn or rounded
stones should never be used upon steep
gradients or they will fail to bind together.
IA, Never allow dust or mud to lie on the
surface of the roads, tor either OF these will
double the cost OF maintenance.
10. Recollect that dust becomes mud at the
first shower and that mud for us a wet
Dlahket which Will keep road in filthy
condition Tor weeks at time, instead OF
allowing it to dry in few hours.
IL, Remember that the middle OF the road
should always be a little higher than the
sides, so that rain may run into the side
cutters AT once
H. Never allow the water.tables, cutters
ana bitches to clog up, but keep them clean
the whole year through.
The total length of the common roads
in this country, good, bad and ndiffer-
ent, is estimated by Gen. Stone of the
road bureau of the department of agri-
culture at something over 300, 900
miles. The majority of these roads have
been opened by common laborers hired
by county supervisors and no engineer
ing PRINCIPLES have hpen ohsaryad In