The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1896-11-18
BaNEFIrs OF DRAINAGI9.
The Life and Character of q
Road Depends OH Its Free
dom From Water.

GA good dirt road to those who
have driven through sloughs des-
ignated bad roads during the past
spring will seem an impossibility,"
writes A. w. Campbell in Farm
ers' Advocate. And yet these bad
roads are chosen in summer by the
teamster in preference to the good
gravel roads. These latter are now
collection of parallel ruts, with
rocks firmly set, protruding orroll-
ing loose under the wheels and the
feet of the horses.
The diseases being SO perfectly
known, it is a poor recommendation
for our inventive powers if we can
not produce the remedies. For
dirt roads take the water out and
keep it out; for gravelroads, thisand
more. There will be less moisture
remaining in the roads after the
rain falls to assist the disintegra-
ting and upheaving action of the
frost. There will be less water to
be carried away in the spring and
more ample means to do itquickly.
A dry foundation for road is as
necessary as for any other structure.
Were the benefits of drainage bet
ter known, our system of roads
throughout this province would
soon he vastly imDroyed
Drainage must be secured at tho
surface of the road and beneath it.
Under drainage there may be few
exceptions-will accomplish more
than surface drainage. Where and
how to place the drains is a matter
regarding which no definite code
of laws can be formulated, since
each mile or less of roadway may
lead to an entirely new combina-
ton of circumstances. Surface
drainage is attained by rounding
up the road bed ordinarily with a
rise of not less than one nor more
than II inches to the foot, provid-
ing open bitches on each side of the
grade. Crown the roadway on hills
slightly more, so as to draw the
water sharply to the bitches.
Water allowed to follow the track
of the wheels will wear them into
n softened mass of mud at the foot
of the hill.
The drains running parallel to
the road about three feet below
the surface and at the edge of the
grade will usually afford the best
method of understanding. Take
advantage of all natural water
courses to relieve the bitches of
their water. Use hard, we'll burned
tile laid carefully to a uniform
grade, with fall of not less than
three feet to the mile, and, if it
can be obtained at reasonable cost,
not less than six feet.
Provide culverts where needed
and do not allow the roadway to
interfere with natural drainage.
Do not build culverts higher than
the approaching roadway, as mud
dy hollows in each side will result.
If possible, place small culverts
below the surface and cover with
earth, as they will be less subject
to wear and will not interfere with
the smooth surface of the road
Make culverts permanent. Avoid
the use of pcrishable material.
See that proper outlets are made
for them and kept free. Water
which is allowed to stand in them
in frosty weather will destroy the
best material.
The surface of the road should
be kept smooth and free from ruts.
Where gravel or other material is
applied it is best to dig II trench
for it's reception; otherwise the
crown will be too high. Gravel is
intended to perform the double
service of roof to shed the water
and floor to resist the wear of
traffic and to lessen the amount of
traction required. All the work
should be done on n uniform plan
in systematic and permanent
manner, with n view to its exten-
ton on the Same plan in subse;
duent years. This in short time
will secure perfect system of
finished roads.
To the Victors Belong the Spells.
Who will be our next postmas-
ter2 That is the question that is
agitating the minds of great
many of our citizens. Althoug the
-cAaSsoke of battle has hardly cleared