Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1896-06-27
FARM AND GARDEN.
BETTER COUNTRY ROADS.
Farmers Could DO Much Themselves To-
ward Securing Them.

Farmers Could DO Much Themselves To-
ward Securing Them.
AS soon as the ground is solid after
the last freezes in the spring is the
best time to do the grading. The earth
being still moist, is more easily manip-
ulated than if the work is done later;
also the new grade becomes more COM
pact before winter than it is possible for
II to be when undertaken at later
season. With farmers the road prob
lem is practical question. They be-
lieve in good roads with all their
might, but at the same time they
doubt If the improved highway will be
the cure-all for the farmers ills that
some advocate. They will point ont
communities where every foot of pub.
lie road is piked, and yet the same hard
times and low prices prevail there as
well as elsewhere.
Hence farmers are not likely to favor
extravagant levies for building turn
pixies Unfortunately as long as the
financial depression is not lifted.
When the stringency of the times COM
pels them to forego needed improve
ments in the home and on the farm, let
us not berate them for tolerating bad
roads.
While this is granted, there is but
little doubt that farmers could do a
vast deal themselves toward improving
their roads If they would but give the
matter that concern which they be-
stow upon their crops and f1ocks. There
is a siX-mile stretch of turnpike in this
county built by farmers themselves.
That is, they did the work largely them.
selves. Surely, when we see so many un-
employed teams as we pass through tic
country, and often as many uncm-
ployed men, we cannot escape the con-.
clusion that here are forces which may
be economically utilized for making
good roads.
Since this is true, and since farmers
of the present generation, at least, will
likely have to travel much on the coun-
try roads, it behooves them to inform
themselves of the best methods of MAX
ing good roads. Hence the agricul
tural press should give such instruc-
ton as the prominence of the question
deserves. Perhaps heretofore we have
been the victims of overmuch theory,
IL
the engineers Office than it has been
by heavy wheels and natures elemenss.
First of all, the Importance of proper
grading should be appreciated. In a
level region this is necessary to afford
adequate drainage. Standing water is
the bane of the roadbed. When pud
die of water is not tolerated betweSn
the fences and the road the good
roads" era is not far distant. The grade
is fully as important in rough, hilly re-
gions. Suppose it does take weeks
scraping and grading to cut down a hill.
and fill an adjacent valley. Is not the
improvement the most permanent and
economical that can be made? Think
of passing over this place in an easy
trot, where before it was necessary 10
move up and down in slow walk, and
multiply this by the saving of time and
force in the next SO or 100 years by this
improvement.
When the roadbed is properly graded
and adequate drainage secured the
amount of surface material required is
lessened. If gravel is scarce and
stones are plenty, lay course of tho
latter and cover with gravel. First tie
lower course should be well settled Ivy
compelling travel upon them; after this
add the gravel. Such road will weNr
large.-Robert L. Dean, in Farm News