The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1895-05-22

lZe CQe rOaQ material near dC manu-, anu
thus lessen the cost of construction.
AS this phase of the work progresses
maps are made showing the location Of
all deposits suitable for road building.
A number of towns have already
appropriated money to build their
streets in the same careful manner as
those constructed by the State, and
others have purchased road machinery
with the intention of extending the
work on roads other than State high
ways.
Careful consideration has been Civ
en- to the plan of planting shade trees
along the highways. With this end
in view, experts have been consulted
concerning the best varieties for the
purpose, and the wayside trees have
been examined, so as to determine the
species we'll adapted to the climate
and soil of Massachusetts.
AS the estimated expense Of pro-
curing and planting these trees is not
less than one-half a million dollars,
the Commission has rightly made this
question secondary to road building,
but in the meantime they are collect
ing such data as will enable them to
work with profit on the adornment Of
the roads after the construction is
we'll in hand. The American and Eng
lish elms have the advantage Of fairly
rapid growth, with shade high above
ground, and the leaves falling from
them give but little Obstruction to the
cutters. They have the disadvantage
of being subject to the attacks Of in
sects, so that the cost Of protecting
them from these pests would be con-
siderable. Naples grow well and are
beautiful, though they often shade the
road too much. II is the custom in
parts of Europe to plant the roadsides
with trees which yield profitable crops.
In France and Germany, for example,
cherry trees abound. In these coun-
tries the yield Of the wayside trees
belongs 70 the neighboring land own
ers, but in some cases to the commu-
nifty, and their product is well guard
ed by law. There will be more or less
experimenting on the part Of the Coz
mission before they decide upon the
species to be planted. The law pro-
vides for the beginning of this work
in the Spring Of 1895, and from that
time it will be carried on slowly, so as
to give us the benefit of experience.
Every State should make a begin
ming on road improvement. In thinly-
settled regions of the country, where
the people do not feel able to under
take much, they can do no better than
to start the reform by constructing
sections of single-track roads. No
community can afford to neglect the
common roadways. Our prosperity is
too intimately connected with the ia
cilities for communication.
I have spent many thousands Of dol
lars in inaugurating and advancing
this reform, and continue to take an
active part in it, though for long
time I have not addressed you on the
subject. The interest is now general,
and the leaders numerous, consequent
ly there is a demand for road news,
more especially for the recent advance
ments in the line of actual experience.
Here is what we have done in the
Old Bay State. Will you not publish
it, or a portion of it, for the benefit
of your readers, many of whom, with
out doubt, are directly or indirectly
connected with, or interested in, the
development of the cause
Very truly yours,
ALBERT A. POPE.
Boston, Mass, May Is, 1895.