Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1899-02-24
OUR ROADS.

OOk NOADo.
Ir is not saying too much, to as
sert that the roads of Shenandoah
County are disgrace to our people.
What do we most need in order to
have good roads? We need three
things: Intelligent supervision, work,
and money. The one without the
Others is an absolute waste. Hundreds
of thousands of dollars in money and
labor have been spent on our roads
and much the greater part otit has
been wasted. The roads should be
placed IN charge of men who under
stand road building. In working the
roads, the most improved machinery
should be used. The whole secret of
good roads Is in keeping them as dry
as possible. The old way of working
with pick and shovel seldom accom-
pli.hss thi, purpose. A good road
scraper should be used. In stony
ground, it would be well also to use
a good road.plow. The road should
be thrown up well in the middle, so
that the water would INTO the sides.
The road should be well rolled, and
for this purpose a good road-roller
should be used.
Some persons seem to think that
in order TO have a good macadamized
road, it is only necessary to cover 1t
with broken stones. This is another
great mistake. In order to have a
good lasting road that will not need
work, for years. there should be first,
. good foundation. The road should
be properly shaped and well rolled.
The county should have rock crusher''
After the bed is well prepared II layer
of rock should be put on and it
should be well rolled, then another
layer of rock and again well rolled.
The Las, layer might be composed OF
pieces Of rock somewhat smaller than
the first. If any is to be used, 1t
should lie put on last and should also
he well rolled. That would give a
first class road and the district that
makes one or two miles per year OF
road of that kind is making more pro-
gress than the district that makes
five of ordinary rock road. Another
thing that would add greatly to the
lasting qualities and improved condi-
ton of our roads would be the use of
wide tires. 1t is not generally known
that with wide tires, the draft is less
than with narrow ones. Heavier
loads can be hauled with the same
team, In some countries in Europe,
the laws require wide tires on all wa
CONS used upon the public roaIs.
This subject should be fully investi-
GATED and If the above assertions
should prove to be correct, as we be-
lieve they are, wide tires should be
required on all wagons, used upon the
public roads.
The county and distri" authorizes
should provide sufficient money to
make good roads, and should be es-
pecially careful in preventing money
nnd labor being wasted on roads, a'
it has been for years.
Care and intelligent supervision
should be provided; for without it,
there is alwars great waste. A man
NAV be a first class farmer, or lawyer
or doctor, and know almost absolute
nothing about building good road.
This subject is worthy of the careful
consideration ofour county authorities.
Heretofore there has been a constant
tendency to open new roads, and
even now, at nearly every court,
is an application for new road.
This is caused, in part, by the fact
that, by the old system of working,
many roads have been converted ILL.,
to water drains, and the people want
q change. The policy should be,
fewer and better roads. Money ex-
pended on good roads will prove a
good investment, and it Is earnestly
to be hoped that our authorities will
make an INN, date change in this
respect.