The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1897-12-08

Josiah G. Winger, well and favorably
known TO many of Forest county's citi-
zens, has found solution of the good
roads" problem, as well as new use for
the greatsurplusage of crude oil that is
being daily taken from mother earth.
In letter TO the Derrick of recent date,
written from hisspresent home at Grand
Valley, Mr. Winger gives his observa-
tions in these words:
Inasmuch as all people are deeply in
terested in and in favor of good roads, I
beg your kind indulgence and space in
your organ OF oil, that may narrate my
observations of the effects of crude oil on
the road, which covers period of three
years. In the winter of 1894, near Grand
Valley, small plug was forced out of
an oil line and quantity of oil was
spurted on the road. The snow was
thoroughly saturated with oil for about
one rod in diameter. The oil was spread
over the road by the feet OF horses and by
the action OF sleigh runners, for the dis
tance of about four rods. The roads in
the valley are clay bottom and very dusty
in dry weather and muddy in wet and its
no unusual thing to see dust from three
10 six inches deep and mud from ten to
twenty inches in the season. This bit of
road and the crude oil referred to has at
trac.ed my attention ever since. For
when the dry weather returned, and
"dusty roads" were the hailing ealuta-
ton of every one you met, these particu-
lar four rods of road were as free from
dust as a well kept brick paved street,
and after shower, when the dusty roads
were converted into beds of mud, this
section of road was as dry as if no rain
had fallen. The writer has explained
the phenomenon to many observers who
were ignorant of the cause. At present,
and after the action of three summers
and winters, there is to be seen the uu-
mistakable evidence of the preserving
qualities of crude oil.
Now, Mr.. Editor, accepting the forego-
ing observations as truth, is it not safe to
conclude that hope for a solution of the
greatest of public comfort questions has a
nucleus on which to rest hopper
The writer has devoted his whole life
since the discovery of oil to its develop
ment, save three years from 1862 to 1865,
while in the war, and has made a study
of the great blessings that it gives to man,
and 1 do believe that the time is not far
in the future when dusty and muddy
roads will be conditions unknown and
that crude oil will bring this reform
about.
Oil and earth have an affinity for each
other and when united in proper propor-
tons on a road bed, are for a long time
inseperable. The oil on a road bed pre-
vents the earth from rising in dust and
excludes water and hence the impossible
ity of mud. 1t looks reasonable that an
oil treated road properly shaped, will re-
main mudless, when snow falls even in
SIN all quantity it will give good sleigh
ing, and when the snow goes in the spring
will be ready for comfort, pleasure and
business.
In the employment of crude oil for
good roads no change need be made in
the mode of construction now in general
use. The road bed should be properly
shaped with machinery, and Immediate
ly after working and forming, and while
the earth is loose and best adapted for the
absorption of oil. The oil should be APP
piled, after the manner of sprinkling
streets. The quantity of oil to the rod CT
road can only be determined by expert
ments and actual tests. The writer's
opinion, based on observation, is that one
| barrel of oil to each three rods OF road
will suffice. This, if the writer has not
erred in figures-at which he is not good
will be oil to the depth Of one third of
an inch. Current price of oil and cost of
| applying will determine expense of treat
| ing mile Of road.
! Should not all join issue for expert
ments in the interest of good roads, and
demand for cheap oil?