The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-01-10

rails suitable for road building in both
eastern and western counties and the
results of this investigation will be en-
bodied in a forthcoming report.
In conjunction with the United
States department OF agriculture. in
vestigation is now being carried on as
TO the rate Of growth under different
conditions Of the most important tim
Der trees of the eastern counties In
conjunction with the United States
geological survey, ii is continuing the
work OF preparing the large topo-
graphic and geologic nap of the
state; this work having been nearly
completed for the n counties.
In conjunction with the United States
coast survey and with the cooperation
Of the authorities Of several counties.
the survey is also establishing at all
the county seats in the state a mag
netic meridian post and a standard
measure for surveyors chains in the
expectation that this will lead in the
future to the more accurate surveys
Of all lands and boundary lines Thus
in the maintenance OF the geological
survey, we secure the active co-opera-
ton of these various scientific bureaus
at Washington in the carving on of
all these Investigations looking to the
development of the state.
FOREST FIRES.
It has been estimated by the experts
connected with both the government
n the state forestry surveys that in
eastern North Carolina especially.
during the present century, more tim
Der has been destroyed by forest fires
than has been cut and sold as lumber,
the losses to the wealth of the state in
this direction amounting TO hardly less
than 81 600 600 nor 9nnT1rn TyrpIua
months ago a single forest fire along
the border between North and South
Carolina is said to have destroyed, in
w days, 81, 900, 900 worth Of property
and fifteen lives. 1t is not as yet clear
how these destructive fires may be
prevented in North Carolina, out I beg
to call your attention to the fact that
during the past few years, legislation
has been enacted in Maine, New York.
Pennsylvania and some other states
which has, without any great cost to
these states, resulted in greatly diirir-
ishing both h number and the de
structiveness of these fires. In some
of the states, notably Pennsylvania. I
am informed that this has been ac-
complished mainly by empowering and
requiring existing county ana township
officials to take the matter in hand ana
see to the rigid enforcement OF pre-
ventive laws. Whether such q system
could be successfully inaugurated in
North Carolina, is a matter that can
only be determined by Investigation
and experiment, but the subject is one
of sufficient importance to deserve
your careful consideration.
IMPROVEMENT OF PUBLIC RAODS
A more widespread and intelligent
interest in the betterment of the pub
lie roads of the state is everywhere
apparent. This interest has been
steadily growing the last decade, and
1T is evidently one of the most vital
economic problems now before the
people. There is need of better and
more uniform legislation in the inter-
est Of this movement and at an early
day a report will be presented to you
embodying an abstract of the different
county and state road laws now in op-
Grafton, and also much information
concerning methods Of road building.
There is also great need in this state
for more Intelligent and experienced
road engineers and supervisors, so as
to avoid a wasting of money and labor
in carrying out worthless plans for
work. Our people should realize tina
the building of good public roads re-
qulreS as much training and expert
ence as does the building of railroads..
The system of compulsory labor on
public roads has been abandoned in
most enlightened countries. In our
state, it is questionable whether we
are in a position to adopt any uniform
system upon this subject, because of
the wide variance of the conditions ex-
listing in the different localities. In
some places. the property holders are
b to bear the road tax, and the
circumstances surrounding them are
as to make it to their interest to
do away with the compulsory system.
Tn nfhnr localities rn,Io-r %Lo ~1~I
tax would amount to such a hardship
as to make it impracticable. The plan
of employing short term convicts on
the roads has proved economical and
satisfactory in a number of counties
in this and other states, and the sys-
tenn could be we'll extended. In several
states, even the long term %convicts
employed in q%uarrying and crushing
for macadamizing public roads
and the material thus prepared has
been sold to the various counties and
municipalities at the actual cost of
it, thus reducing it's cost |
one-half or twO-thirds. Of course, no
amount of legislation will of itself rad |
ically change the existing conditions, |
perhaps laws providing for the
working of the public roads may be
enacted so as to stimulate and direct |
better work in this direction.
1t is coming to be generally recog- |
nized that the use of wide tires on all |
wagons and other draft vehicles will |
aid the keeping of the public |
roads in better condition. In a number |
states laws have been enacted en- |
the Introduction and use of
these wide tires, and the results there
are said to be highly satisfactory. It !
Is desirable that legislation looking
IN this direction should be enacted in
Carolina.
AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.
The report of the board of agricul- |
ture, transmitted herewith, gives, in
detail, the operations of that depart
.ent for the last two years; and the
attention of the general assembly is
directed to the recommendations con-
tanned therein. The department has
some very valuable work since it's
last report to the general assembly. |
But 1T is believed that it's efficiency
would be greatly increased, if the
institute work, in which this |,