The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-06-12
trcesslva Street SprlnkIInQ.

street sm'nkling has no little effect
upon the condition of roads, and Is al
present the subject of much discussion
among road builders. That il is am
economical means TO sprinkle streets.
II the water Is properly applied. is, To
those who have studied their construc-
tion and maintenance. well established;
but that too much water may be used
is a source of deep regret to the care
| fu observer.
have witnessed in my vicinity, the
destruction OF an excellent macadamed
road, some 21H miles i'm length I'm
length, by the want OF judgment OF the
man who had charge OF the sprinkling
cart The driver OF such a cart thinks
that he Is employed 10 wet the street,
and, doubtless thinking that IL is bet
ter To apply TOO much rather than too
llttie water and also feeling that if
ne drenches the streets a longer time
VIII elapse before he needs to repeat
the operation applies altogether too
much water, with the result that the
thoroughly rolled top dressing is soft
ened, and wagon wheels as they pass
along make tracks: the softening pro-
on wheels make deeper tracks, until
where the larger pools OF water We're,
a hole is formed N which more water
gathers upon the next application, until
the once smooth and carefully con-
structed street is ruined ana ruined by
over indulgence The condition of the
street grows worse every day, until the
municipalities compelled 10 resurface
at great expense.
Few imagne how much the cost of
ma ntenance is increased. by the little
attention that is given TO this matter
by those I'm authority. In the city of
Providence man is constantly en-
ployed, during the season. TO prevent
the use of too much water by the men
IN charge OF the sprinkling carts and
also TO regulate the use of street or
house hydrants, as the same are used
during certain hours OF the day, by
the house occupants.
There are so many that fa' 10 real
ize the extent of damage done the
streets by the application of too much
water. They begin To sprinkle at q
o'clock I'm the morning. and for fear the
least dust viii rise during the day, ami
possibly blow i'm their windows. they
souse the street in front of their homes
without any regard TO the annoyance
OF riders OF wheels. those driving clean
carriages and the increased cost to
the city i'm its effort to keep the street !
in prime condition.
Asphalt streets should never be wat |
cred because they are made slippery |
thereby; paved streets should not be |
made very wet on account of the dan |
ger 10 the many wheelmen. | have |
read that the Merchants Associate of |
san Francisco has been trying the ex-
pertinent OF sprinkling a street with sea
water. and finds that such water binds |
the dirt, together between the paving
stones, so that when IL dry no loose
dust Is formed TO be raised by the wind;
that the sea water does not dry as
quickly as fresh water. so that the
claim Is mace that one load OF sea wat
er is equal TO three loads of fresh wat
-ele+t4+earthat when sea
water used the street IS thoroughly |
moist during the early morning and |
mas the appearance of having been
freshly sprnkled. on account OF the
'alt water absorbing moisture from the
tir during the night. This seems reas-
,nable. | have long advocated sprinkl-
ng streets during the night; without
ioubt. more might be accomplished
between the hours of II. midnight and
In the morning, than is accomplished
turing the ten hours OF the day.
Water properly applied during the
iay does not penetrate the earth to |
my extent; the ground Is hot and the |
ieat of the sun catses evaporation al
most Immediately, so that the driver |
must make frequent trips to properly |
ay the dust unless he souses the
street, which should never be allowed: |
whereas, water applied at night would
penetrate the surface to that extent
hat the street would be hard the en-
Ire day There would then be no com |
'iaint because the driver OF the sprint-
ing cart did not leave a dry place for
yclists; none because the driver failed
o shut off the water i'm passing car
lages. pedestrians or wheelmen and
uch were spattered no loss of patience
ecause, when water was wanted more
nan at any other time. il could not ,
e obtained because the sprinkling cart
ias being filled and the water main
fas not large enough to permit such
lavish use OF water, and at the same |
me supply the houses beyond (an act {
al occurrence on one line in our town
n account of the small water main
ut In by the Water company OF the
dJacent city,: for then there would | I
G no mud. no watering carts To hinder
'aihc during the day, no loss OF water
II sprinkling purposes during the time I
hen the maximum amount of water | :
as being used, but JOY would reign ,
lpreme because OF the fine condition | :
the highways and much money I
ould be saved the highway depart a
tents TATIANT 4
CrarStOn II | Juno a 1900 4