Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1900-09-21
A FARMERS OPINION.
ohio Man Gives Some Valuable SuU
gestiOns ON the Building and
Maintenance Of Roads.

In 1883, the report of the depart ,
ment of agriculture contained THU
statement and opinion: while ou1
railway system has become the most
perfect in the world. the common
roads of the United States have beer
neglected, and are inferior to those o.
any other civilized nation"
Location.-The first important ster
in bodybuilding is the location. Al
roads to be permanently improved
and we shall consider no others in this
brief article, should be the. ones lead
ing to common center; to the great
market places and to the principal
towns of county. Their exact loca'
ton and choice should be the duty OF
a commission OF three men. appointed
by county commissioners from differ.
ent parts of the county.
System.-In the construction Of
permanent roads. all work should be
done in a careful, systematic manner
Grading.-The second step should
be the preparation of suitable grade
A hilly road is an abomination. The
loss of tractive power resulting from
the steep grades Of, our country roads
b enormous. On grade of four feet
to the hundred, horses drawing abil.
ity is only one-half what it is on q
level; and on ten feet to the hundred
| it is only one-quarter. Hence, the
| great importance of easy grades.
Drainage.-The third essential is q
| -.nsoo+ .,,e+o,,, ~ dro;Doua Tho sida
bitches should not be less than two
feet deep. A tile drain should be
| placed between the dirt road and the
brick or macadam Another should be
placed between the macadam and the
open ditch. These tiled bitches should
be filled with broken stone, with out.
let's at every cross-ditch OF stream.
Materlal.-This. depends largely on
convenience, cost of transportation
etc. Gravel-Owing to its easy appli'
cation, cheapness and durability thii
is undoubtedly the best where gravel
banks are convenient. Limestone
This is q most desirable material
where cost of transportation Is not
too great. When used, it should bt
crushed and placed upon graded road
bed to the depth of. eight to twelve
inches; then rolled with heavy roller
until rendered firm. topped with fint
crushed limestone, and again rolled
until the surface Is smooth and solid
Fire Brick.-Another material 81
modern use. and a worthy one, too, i
fire brick The preparation should b'
similar to where limestone is used, ex
cept that a stone curbing must b'
used on either side of roadbed to pre-
vent its spreading. Crushed sandstone
is placed between this curbing, .rolle'
with heavy roller. topped with san'
and rolled again until the surface i
level and firm, when it is ready TO
the brick. which are laid in coal tar
How to pay for the road.-By spe
cial tax of whole county. All part
are benefited. provided the road com
missioners did their work well. Thei
maintenance.-Alsob by special tax
county, and placed In hands of trus
tees in the townships through whic
the roads pass. In Europe. the gen
eral government assists largely in COZ
struction of permanent roads. Sue
course. II adopted by our govern
:, ment years ago. would have mean
, better times for the farmer.-T. /.
. Lewis, In Ohio Farmer.