The Worthington advance., 1901-02-22
HOW 10 - & ROADS.
tioa Based ON Common sense ana
Careful Observation, @

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 to probe to the bottom of this ques:
ton 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-
co anter the most difficult experiences
imaginable in trying to pass over the
roads during the inclement weather?
10 casual observer in this same coun-
try, says writer in the Drovers' Jour-
ma, may be seen multitudes of coal
mines and tile factories in almost every
direction. But here lies the all-impor-
tan: part. If the farmers will form
combine, erect kiln and sink coal
smart, 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 vari.
Gus shapes-this the factory man terms
green goods" In the spring when
the farmers begin to work their poll
tax, which is always done with the
road grader, an embankment of two
feet at least can be thrown up on each
side Of the road, thus forming road
bed. At least - miles of roads can
% made each year by the farmers in
each township, and still have the pleas
ure OF hauling and dumping at any time
to suit their convenience, even during
the inclement weather, providing they
begin or start from the factory. But
great many will ask if they would
not be taking a great risk upon them
selves before they should be assured
OF its success? Now, if this be the gem
eral opinion in a vicinity where they
would like to see the practicability Of
this question, would advise them to
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
clement weather to meet in a central
spot? Now, if this be impossible,
would advise at least four or five farm
ers to erect kiln in some central place
and haul their coal in the fall and
obtain certain part of the roads in
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 shaft? Now, for
instance, take the township in which
l reside. It contains $4,000 acres, val
ued at $2,100,000. 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 q number of
honest, conscientious farmers and
place them in charge of the affairs.
II they keep the shaft running at all
times, the outside business that thev
DO would more than compensate the
whole force employed in producing the
coal. If thought I should not weary
your. readers I would draw many moro
illustration. and prove all the asser-
tions have made by figures. Further.
more, the work does not end here. Our
roads being permanently established,
let us turn our attention to the black
soil. When not too WET it is the finest
and most fertile soil that can be &C.
quired which, with our shaft and kiln,
can be tiled with very little expense
and labor, and will increase the value
of real estate so per cent. and change
our dark, dreary swamps and sloughs,
as some term them, into Garden of
Eden. The future of such localities de-
pends upon the aforesaid plans being
carried out.