The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-01-25
CARING FOR GOOD ROADS
Rules of the London R0ad-ImprOvement
ASS0ciatiOnS-EcOn of In
telligent Repairs.

telligent Repairs.
The popularity of the bicycle this wear
has reawaEened interest in proper road
construction. From all reports it is an
parent that more miles Of good Macadam
and 'reliord roads have been built this wear
than ever before in the history Of tits
country. Nearly all Of the rural village,
and towns have constructed their main
thorouthtares on scientific principles, and
many adjoining towns are connected by
long houleyardS that are ! pleasure to ride
over The spirit OF road improvement has
even reached remote rural districts, AMI
farmers have combined to improve the COZ
dtion of the main roads leading from their
farms to town or station. If this progress
sivc spirit continues for quarter of
century, we shall he able to boast OF the
finest and longest Macatam 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 t.
keep it in proper repair The neglect of
the latter work in noticeable in many parts
of the country where good roads were con
structcd several years ago, and Il little
more attention should be called to tn.
necessity of taking proper care of a macA
damized road. In two years an expensive
roadway can 20 20 ruin, and the initial rx-
peusc of constructing it will be nearly lost
\ neglected macadamiHed road is even
worse than many of the ordinary dirt roads
Pi0haby in the spring the latter would he
in ore deploable condition. but in the
summer the haf-runed Macadam road is
covered with loose, sharp stones, and per-
mancnt 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 mudholes, which hasten the
ruin of the road.
So important is the subject of keeping
Macadam and Tclford roads in proper re-
pair that the Road-Improvement Assoca-
ton of London, England, recently issued a
circular containing seventeen rules for the
guidance of roadmasters in this matter
These directions cover nearly the whole
ground, and if properly followed they will
| save money. But in order to carry out the
best rules for keeping the roads in repair, it
is necessary that some responsible road
master should be selected for the work, and
proper funds be placed annually at his
disposal. a few years ago prizes were Of
fered TO the road supervisors on Long
| Island who could show the finest stretch of
roads in each district. great stimulus
was thus given to road making, and every
supervisor made efforts to secure the cash
bonus. The results obtained were so good
that they might justify the annual offer of
cash prizes to the supervisors who keep
their Macadam roads already constructed
in the best repair.
The rules adopted by the Road Improve
ment Association of London should be read
and studied by every roadmaster and
supervisor. They run as follows:
~ Never allow IL hollow, nut, or a
puddle to remain on a road, but fill it up at
once with chips from the stone heap.
q, Always use chips for patching and
for all repairs during she summer season.
g.. Never put fresh stones on the road,
it, by cross-picking and a thorough use of
the rake, the surface can be made smooth
and kept at the proper strength and sec
ton.
a.. Remember that the rake is the
most useful tool in your collection, and it
should be kept close at hand the whole
year round
(5.) Do Lot spread large patches of stone
over the whole width of the road, but coat
the middle or horse track first, and when
this has worn in coat each of the sides in
turh
49,. In moderately dry weather and on
hard roads always pick up the old surface
into ridges six inches apart, and remove
all large and projecting stones before ap-
plying new coating.
u. Never spread stones more than one
stone deep, but add a second layer when
the first has worn in, if one coat be not
enough.
g.. Never shoot stones on the road aud
crack them where they lie, or a smooth
surface will be out of the question.
g.. Never put stone upon the road for
repairing purposes that will not freely pass