The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1898-03-02
CRUDE PETROLEUM.
Ii Is an Effective Agent i'm Compact
ing Dirt Roads.

ing Dirt Roads.
For many years it has been known
that the use of oil on troubled waters
greatly Gains them. Recently, some
railway companies have experimental
with il for the purpose of laying dust,
which ii is claimed that it will do for
very long time, and now its value in
improving country roads is forcibly
asserted by j. G. Winger, of Grand
Valley, Pa. This gentleman says that
he has devoted his whole life, since the
discovery of oil, to its development, and
has made a study of the great blessings
that il gives TO man, and believes that
the time is not far in the future when
dusty and muddy roads will be condi-
tons unknown, and that crude oil will
bring this reform about. The expert
ence on which he principally bases his
opinion. he describes in a letter to the
Oil City Derrick:
In the winter of 1894, near Grand
Valley, small plug was forced out
CT an oil line and quantity of oil
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 the action of sleigh runners, for
the distance of about four rods. The
roads in this valley are clay bottom, and
very dusty in dry weather, and muddy
in wet, and it is no unusual thing TO
see dust from three to six inches deep,
and mud from ten to twenty inches, IN
the season.
This bit of road, and the crude oil
referred to, has attracted my attention
ever since; for, when the dry weather
returned, and dusty roads were the
kailing salutation of everyone you
met, these particular four rods OF road
were as free from dust as well-kept
brick-paved street, and after a 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 phenom-
eno1 TO many observers who were ig-
norant Of the cause. At present, and
after the action of three summers and
winters, there is still to be seen the
unmistakable evidence of the prese-v-
ing qualities Of crude oil. Now, &C.
cepting the foregoing observation as
truth, is it not safe TO conclude that
a hope for a solution Of the greatest
public questions has nucleus on which
10 rest hope?
'Oil and earth have an affinity for
each other, and, when united IN proper
proportions on roadbed, are for a
long time inseparable. The oil on
road bed prevents the earth from ris-
ing in dust, and excludes water, and
hence the impossibility of mud. II looks
reasonable that an oil-treated road,
properly shaped, viii remain mudless;
when snow falls, even in small quaint
ties, it will give good sleigning, and
when the snow goes in the spring, it
VIII be ready for. comfort, pleasure and
business.
In the employment of crude oil for
good roads, no change need be made
il the mode of construction now in
general use. The roadbed should be
properly shaped with machinery, and
Immediately after working and form
ing. and while the earth is loose and
best adapted for the ABSORPTION of oil,
the oil should be applied, after the man
ner of sprinkling streets. The guam
tity of oil to the rod of road can only be
determined by experiments 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 fig
ures, will be oil to the depth of one
third of an inch. Current price of oil,
and cost of applying, will determine
expense of treating mile Of road.
Should not ali join issue for expert
ments, in the interest of good roads, and
a demand for cheap oil?''
Best Is None Too Good.