Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-07-04
FARM AND GARDEN.
BETTER COUNTRY ROADS.
Farmers Could Do Much Themselves To-
ward Securing Them.

a.xrmers 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 mantp-
-uIated than if the work is done later;
also the new grade becomes more COM
.ract before winter than it is possible for
sie to be when undertaken at a later
season. With farmers the road prob
lem is a practical question. They be-
4ieve 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 out
communities where every foot of pub
lic road is piked, and yet the same hard
times and low prices prevail there as
eyen as elsewhere
Hence farmers are not likely to favor
extrave<ant levies for building turn
pixies indiscriminately as long as the
financial depression is not lifted.
When the stringency of the times COM
,pels them to forego needed improve
ynents 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
as 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 TN
employed teams as we pass through tic
country, and often as many unem-
fI,k,o
cIusion that here are forces which may
be economically utilized for making
good roads.
Since this is true, and since farmers
of the present genera ton, at least, will
likely have to travel much on the cou1t-
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-
tfon as the prominence of the question
deserves. Perhaps heretofore we have
been the victims of overmuch theory,
(which has been better demonstrated IN
the engineers office than it has been
nv heavy wheels and natures elements.
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
die of water is not tolerated betwea an
the fences and the road the good
roads era is not far distant. The grade
Is fully as important in rough, hilly rc-
gions- Suppose it does take a week 5
=scraping and grading to cat down a hill
and fill an adjacent valley. Is not the
Improvement the most permanent and
economical that can be made? Thinh
of passing over this place in an easy
trot, where before it was necessary to
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 gradet
and adequate drainage secured the
amount of surface material required i:
.iessened. If gravel is scarce ana
stones are plenty, lay course of thu
latter and cover with gravel. First tie
lower course should be well settled ny
compelling travel upon them; after thi
add the gravel. Such road will Nvea
well. The stones used should not bt
large.-Robert l.. Dean. in Farm News