Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1899-10-05
MACADAMIzED ROADS.
a Prominent L. A. w. omcia1 Tells
How They should BE Constructed
and Maintained

course, some OF TINS macadamIzIng IS
excellently done, but the great major
ity of cases are characterized by an
utter want of that expert knowledge
which is required for selecting the best
materials and using them in the right
way. Failures are especially numerous
in respect to the methods adopted"
says Otto Dorner, chairman of the L..
a. W. highway improvement commit
tee.
"a stone road of any kind is neces-
sarily expensive, and poorly con-
structed macadam road always means
waste of considerable funds. The
subject is, therefore, deserving of es-
pecial study, and the farmers may be
depended upon to familiarize them
selves thoroughly with the principles
which have governed this work, espe-
cially in New Jersey, where so much
matchmaking has been done by state
aid. We may expect that, in time, the
construction of stone roads will be-
come as familiar to farmers as the
growing of wheat, but at present there
is very little general information on
the subject
''The two points to be observed in
vide a proper foundation, and, second
to roll and compact the stone metal
with the utmost thoroughness. To be-
gin with, the subsoil, which is to serve
as a foundation for the stone, must be
properly crowned, sloping down from
the middle to each side of the road, and
must then be rolled until it is abso-
lntely hard and smooth. The road
of the foundation. The stone is but
covering or roof for the protection OF
the ground beneath
''The stone used should be put down
in layers not more than four inches
thick, and it is well, where several lay
ers of stone are used, to sort the ma
terial and to use the larger pieces for
the lower layer. This sorting is done
by means of a rotary screen attached
to the rock crusher. In building ma
cadam roads in Massa chusetts and On
tario, the lower layer is usually COM
posed of stone which will pass through
hole 21h inches in diameter. The sec
ond layer usually consists of pieces
which will pass through a 11%-inch
hole
Rolling is the most important point
in the treatment of macadam or stone
roads. A heavy roller should always
be used, heavy enough to wedge the
pieces of stone firmly together The
roller accomplishes this by shifting the
pieces about until each is lodged firmly
between adjoining pieces, which read
lily explains the greater effectiveness
Of the heavy machine. Two things may
prevent successful rolling; either the
failure to provide solid foundation
or the practice, which is very common
of spreading gravel or dirt over a layer
of stone before it is rolled. The idea
of using such 'Ebinder" is bad mis-.
take. In either event, the dirt or gravel
getting between the loose particles OF
stone, will prevent their becoming firm
~ wedged. 4 mixing of stone and
earth, which is thus frequently brought
about in an attempt to build a macad
am road, is little better than an ordi
nary dirt road; indeed, it is inferior in
some particulars. The material in a
road thus constructed is sure to shift
about under the pressure of narrow
tired wheels, which results in the larger
pieces of stone working their way tc
the top, rendering the road rough and
way to help the stone to ''bind'' is tc
thoroughly sprinkle it with water be-
fore and during the rolling process. Al
Iaost every kind of stone has more OF
less cementing qualities, and its satura-
ton with water while it is being rolled
serves admirably to help unite the diff
ferent pieces firmly. The second layer
of stone is frequently of less thickness
J-x
also be thoroughly and repeatedly
rolled without the use of gravel or dirt
as a supposed binder, and with the use
of abundant water to help in cement
ing it. After the layers of stone are
entirely completed and have been thor
oughly rolled and packed, it is well to
spread a layer of gravel, by way of TOP
dressing. and to roll that thoroughly
Better still is to make this layer of
stone screenings, which viii unite bet
ter than gravel does. This dressing will
prevent wearing the macadam road
proper, and, as it disappears with use
and travel, should be renewed from
time to time, leaving the stone con-
struction below absolutely perfect"
"a macadam road, properly built and
with proper slope to each side, will read
lily drain off water and snow. The OBJ
ject OF abroad experts is to SO construct
a macadam road that water cannot per-
meate it. If water is allowed to find its
way through the macadam road into
the foundation below, it is sure to work
mischief; and if the road is then sub
jected to any considerable pressure
from the wheels of heavily-1oaded wag-
ons, it is certain to give way. Hence,
the proper maintenance and care of
macadam road are as important as its
proper construction. If once the road
be damaged in this way, the work of de-
struction is bound to continue. It is,
therefore, as important to prevent this