The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1901-05-31
HOW TO MAKE ROADS.
Western Farmer Submits PROPOSE
ton Based on Common sense and
Careful Observation.

The most important and uppermosi
question in the mind of the farmer at
present is the solution of the good
roads problem. But the question is,
how soon and in what way is the farm
er 10 probe 10 the bottom of this ques-
tion and start the good work along IN
a way that will be practical and eco
nomical? How many farmers are
there to-day in the great corn belt Of
the Mississippi basin who DO not en-.
counter the most difficult experiences
imaginable in trying TO pass over the
roads during the inclement weather.
To casual observer in this same coun-
try, says a writer in the Drovers' Jour
nal, may be seen multitudes of coal
mines and tile factories In almost every
direction. But here lies the ail-imp0r.
tant part. II the farmers will form
combine, erect kiln and sink coal
shaft, the work may be done This
being done, three months can be- spent
by the farmers In the winter time
manufacturing the material, which
comprises burnt pieces of clay in yari
GUS shapes-this the factory man terms
green goods" In the spring when
the farmers begin to work their pol
tax. which is always done with the
road grader, an embankment of two
feet at least can be thrown mp on each
side Of the road, thus forming a road.
bed. At least u miles OF roads can
be made each year hy the farmers in
each township. and still have the pleas
ure Of hauling and dumping al any time
to suit their convenience. even during
The inclement weather. providing they
begin or start from the factory. But
a great many will ask II they would /
not be taking a great risk upon them |
selves before they should be assured /
of its success? Now, II this be the gem
eral opinion in a vicinity where they |
would like to see the practicability OF /
this question. I would advise them 10 /
try quarter Of a mile in some i'm. /
portant place, and divide the expense /
by two for immediate results. for the /
expense Of the material will be about /
twice the amount it can be produced /
by the farmer, and still allow a rea- /
sonable sum for producing the ma /
terial. However, another objection /
may be, how would it be possible for
the farmers during the cold and in
element weather 10 meet in a central /
spot? Now, If this be impossible, / .
would advise at least four OF five farm.
ers TO erect kiln in some central place
and haul their coal in the fall and
obtain a certain part OF the roads i'm
their immediate vicinity. which should
make things more agreeable to all.
The next thing is, how are the farmers
TO proceed in this work OF erecting a
kiln, and sinking a shaft2 Now, for
instance, take the township in which
reside. II contains $4,000 acres. val.
ued at S2.1OO,OoO. One per cent. as.
sessed on this sum would be sufficient
to start the work. and no experienced
men would be absolutely necessary to
begin the work Take a number OF
honest, conscientious farmers and
place them in charge Of the affairs.
If they keep the shaft running at all
times, the outside business that they
do would more than compensate the
whole force employed in producing the
coal. II thought 7 should not weary
your readers I would draw many more
and prove all the asser-
tions have made by figures Further
more, the work does not end here. Our
roads being permanently established,
let MS turn our attention 10 the black
soil When not too wet IL is the finest
and most fertile soil that can be ac-
quired which, with our shaft and kiln,
can be tiled with very little expense
and labor, and will increase the value
Of real estate 80 per cent and change
our dark, dreary swamps and sloughs,
as some term them, into a Garden Of
Eden. The future Of such localities de.
pends upon the aforesaid plans being
carried out.