Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1896-07-22
BETTER COUNTRY A
Farmers Could Do Much Themselves Toward
Securing Them.

ruIIutTS tDNiu DU MUCU lntinStlNts lONUTu
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
1t to be when undertaken at a later
season. With farmers the road prob
lem is a practical question. They be-
lieye in good roads with all their might
but at the same time they doubt il the
improved highway will be the cure all
for the farmers'ills that some advocate.
They will point out communities where
every foot of public road is piked, and
vet the same hard times and low prices
prevail there as elsewhere.
Hence farmers are not likely to favor
extravaganza levies for building turn.
pixies Unfortunately as long as the
financia 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 bestow
upon their crops and fiocks. 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 &C many
unemployed men, we can not escape the
conclusion that here are forces which
may be economically utilized for max
ing 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 instruction
| as the prominence of the question de-
+ serves. Perhaps heretofore we have
been the victims of overmuch theory,
which has been better demonstrated in
the engineers Office than it has been by
heavy wheels and natures elements.
First of all, the Importance of proper
e grading should be appreciated. In a
level region this is necessary to afford
adequate drainage. Standing water il
the bane of the roadbed. When a pud
die of water is not tolerated between
the fences and the road the good
1 roads" era is not far distant. The grade
is fully as important in rough, billy re
gioDs. Suppose it does take a week
scrapi1g and grading to cutdown a hill
and fill an adjacent valley. Is not the
improvement the most permanent anC
economical that can be made? Thinl
8 of passing over this place in an easy
o trot, where before it was necessary tc
K move up and down in a slow walk, anC
multiply this by the saving of time anC
force in the next so or 100 years by thil
improvement.
When the roadbed is properly graded
g and adequate drainage secured thu
amount of surface material required il
lessened. If gravel is scarce anC
stones are plenty, lay a course of the
latter and cover with gravel. First the
lower course should be we'll settled BY
l. compelling travel upon them; after tbil
l. add the gravel. Such a road will veal
we'll. The stones used should not be
large.-Robert L. Dean, in Farm News