Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1898-08-04
FACTS IN A NUTSHELL.
Some Practical suggestions which
Fully Explain the Principles OF
Road Construction.

CN pldlu NV pAiA-' F'NN - ~
ton, dealing especially with the forma-
ton and care of gravel roads.
/. Every good road has two essential |
features: (a) A thoroughly dry founda-
ton; OBJ A smooth, hard, waterproof !
surface covering.
2. The foundation is the natural sub
soil, "the dirt road" which must be
kept dry by good drainage.
3. The surface covering is generally
a coating of gravel or broken stone,
which should be put on the road in such
a way that it will not, in wet weather,
be churned up and mixed with the
earth beneath. That is, it should form
a distinct coating.
4. To accomplish this (a), the gravel
or stone should contain very little
sand or clay-it should be clean. OBJ
The road must be crowned or rounded
in the center so as to shed the water to
the open drains (c) Ruts must not be
allowed to form, as they prevent water
passing to the open drains. (d) The
open drains must have a sufficient fall
and free outlet, so that the water will
not stand in them but will be carried
away Immediately. (e) Tile under
drains should be laid wherever the open
drains are not sufficient and the ground
has a moist or wet appearance, with a
tendency to absorb the gravel and
rut readily. BY this means the founda
ton is made dry.
8. Do not leave the gravel or stone
just as it drops from the wagon, but
spread it so that travel viii at once
pass over and consolidate it before the
fall rains.
6. Keep the road metal raked OF
scraped into the wheel or horse tracks
until consolidated.
7. Grade and crown the road before
putting on gravel or stone
8. If a grading machine is available
grade the roads which you intend to
gravel before the time of statute labor
and use the statute labor as far as pos
sible in drawing gravel.
9. A fair crown for gravel roads on
level ground is one inch of rise to each
foot of width from the side to the cen
ter
10, The roads on hills should have a
greater crown than on level ground,
otherwise the water will follow the
wheel tracks and create deep ruts in.
stead of passing to the side drains.
One and one-half inches to the footfrom
the side to center will be sufficient.
II. Repair old gravel roads which
have hard center, but too little crown
and high, square shoulders, by cutting
off the shoulders, turning the material
outward and placing new gravel OF
stone in the center. Do not cover the
old gravel foundation with the mixture
of earth, sod and fine gravel of which
the shoulders are composed The
shoulders can be most easily cut off By
means of grading machine.
~. A width of "a feet between ditche,
will meet most conditions, with the cen.
trail feet graveled
10. Wherever water stands on the
roadway or by the roadside or wherever
the ground remains moist or is swampy
in spring and fall, better drainage /,
needed.
IA. Look over the road under your
charge after heavy rains and during
spring freshets. The work of a few
minutes in freeing drains from obstruc
ton or divertinga current of water int;
a proper channel may become he worl
Of days if neglected
Is. Surface water should be disposed
Of in small quantities; great accumula
tons are hard 10 handle and are de
structive. Obtain outlets into natura
warehouses; as often as possible.
16. Instead of having deep, oper
. bitches to underdrain the road and dr.,
the foundation, use tile.
II. Give culyerts 4 good fall and fire.
outlet so that water will not freeze il
them.
Is. In taking gravel from the pit, Sc
that precautions are taken to draw onl,
clean material. Do not let the face o
. the pit be scraped down, mixing clay
sand and turf with good gravel. Their
is a tendency to draw dirty gravel, as i
is easier to handle.
> 10. Gravel which retains perpendiC
! ular face in the pit in the spring, ant
; shows no trace of slipping, is general
fit for use on the road without treat
ment. Dirty gravel should be screened
20. Plan and lay out the work befor
calling out the men.
81. When preparing plans keep tn
work Of succeeding years in view.
%, Call out for each day only such
number of men and teams as can b
properly directed.
%, In laying out the work, estimat
, on full days work from each man an
see that it is performed. Specify tn
| number of loads of gravel to constitut
[ a days work. Every wagon box Shout
hold a quarter of 4 cord.
"a. Make all returns clearly, shown
who have done their work and who hav
. not.
. rs. Make early arrangements for hay
! ing on the ground when required, an
in good repair, all implements and tool
to be used in the performance of statut
) labor.
! &c. DO all work with view to pei
manence and durability.
/, birds should BE Protected.
The work Of the birds about the farI