davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-04-01

every LOADED wagon becomes in effect a
road roller. Nothing 50 much tends 10
the improving Of a road as the continued
rolling OF its surface.
Tests recently made at the experiment
stations in Utah and Missouri show that
wide tires not only improve the surface
Of roads but that under ordinary circum-
stances less power is required 10 pull a
wagon ON whic wide tires are used. The
Introduction in recent years of a wide
metallic tire tig- 26D, which can be
placed on any narrow-tired wheel al the
cost of 81 each, has removed one very
serious objection TO the proposed sub
stitution Of broad tires for the narrow
ones now in use.
Time TO Repair Roads.-Repairs on
earth roads should be attended TO par
tiCularly in the spring of the year. but
the great mistake OF letting all the re-
pairs go until that time should not be
made. The great want OF the country
road is daily care. and the sooner We do
away with The System of working out
our road taxes. and pay such taxes in
money, the sooner will it be possible to
build improved roads and to hire experts
20 keep them constantly in good repair.
Roads could then secure attention when
such attention is most needed. If they
are repaired only annually or semi-an-
nually they are seldom in good condition,
but when they are given daily or weekly
care they are most always in good con-
dltion, and, moreover, the second method
costs far less than the first. A portion
OF all levy tax money raised for road
should be used in buying i'm
proved road machinery, and in con-
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-04-01

in attempting to build or maintain a sat
isfactory earth road. If loose earth is
dumped into the middle of the road and
consolidated by traffic. the action OF the
narroW-tired wheels cuts it or rolls it
into uneven ruts or ridges, which hOld
water, and ultimately results, il in the
winter season, in a sticky, muddy sur
face, OF if it be in dry weather, in cover
ing the surface with several inches of
dust. If, however, the surface be pre-
pared with a road machine and properly
rolled with a heavy roller, it can usually
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-04-01

thrashing, etc.
surface. In soil composed of a mixture
of sand, gravel, and clay all that is
necessary to make good road of its kind
is to crown" the surface, keep the ruts
and hollows filled, and the bitches open
and free.
Filling the ruts.-Roads are prone to
wear in ruts, and when hollows and ruts
begin to make their appearance on the
surface of an earth road, great care
should be used in selecting new material
with which they should be Immediately
filled, because a hole which could have
been filled at first with a shovel full of
material would soon need a cart full. 1t
should, if possible, be of a gravelly ma
ture, entirely free from vegetable earth.
or mold. Sod or turf should not be
placed on the surface, neither should the
surface be renewed by throwing upon it
the WORKOUT material from the cutters
alongside. This last injunction. if rightly
observed and the proper remedy applied
would doubtless put an end to the de-
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-04-01

structlng this year a few miles Of i'm
proved stone or gravel roads.
SAND ROADS.
The only exception to the Instructions
given on road drainage is found in the
attempt to improve a sand road. The
more one improves the drainage Of a
sand road the more deplorable becomes
its condition. Nothing will ruin one
quicker than to dig a ditch on each side
and drain all the water away. The best
way to make such a road firm is to keen
1t constantly damp. Very bushy or
shady trees alongside such roads prevent
the evaporation of water.
The usual way Of mending roads which
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-04-01

width of the road. and in laying them
down such care in selection should be
exercised as will give the smallest joints
or openings between them. In order to
reduce as much as possible the resistance
to draft and the violence of the repeated
shocks to which vehicles are subjected
upon these roads. and also to render it's
surface practicable for draft animals, it
is customary to level up between the
logs with smaller pieces Of the same
length but split to a triangular cross
section. These are inserted with edges
in the open joints, SO as to
bring their surface even with the upper
sides of the large logs, or as nearly SO
as practicable.
Upon the bed thus prepared a layer OF
brush wood is put, with a few inches in
thickness, with soil or turf on top to
keep it in place. This completes the
road. The logs are laid directly upon
the natural surface of the soil, those of
the same or nearly of the same diameter
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-04-01

Fig. 13.-Sub1rain made with field stones.
be made sufficiently firm and smooth to
sustain the traffic without rutting, and
resist the penetrating action of the
water. Every road is made smoother,
farder and better by rolling figs. 10 and
2C). Such rolling should be done in damp
weather, or if that is not possible. the
surface should be sprinkled if the char
acter OF the soil requires such aid for it's
proper consolidation.
oohstructlOn.-ln constructing new
earth roads all stumps, brush, vegetable
matter, rocks and powders should be re-
moved from the surface and the result
ing noleS fllled III with suitable material
carefully and thoroughly tamped or
rolied, before the road e~mbankment is
commenced. No perishable material
should be used in forming the permanent
e~mbankments- Where possible the lon
gltudlnal grade should be kept down to /
foot in 30 feet, and should under no cir
cLmstances exceed / in 20. while that
from center to sides should be main
tanned at l foot in 90 feet.
Wherever the subgrade soil is found
unsuitable it should be removed and re-
placed with good material rolled to a
compact. The roadbed having been
brought to the required grade and crown,
snould be rolled several times to com
pact the surface. All inequalities dis
covered during the ~ros,ing shoulA
leVeled up and rerolled. On the prepared
subgrade the earth should be snread
narrowed II necessary, and then rolled to
a bearing by passing the UNPUBLISHED
road roller a number of times over every
porlon or the surface of the section.
In level countries and with narrow
roads. enough material may be excavated
70 raise the roadway above the sub
grade IN forming the side ditcbac by
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-04-01

road made solid by use OF roller.
surface should be given by a heavy roller.
Fig. 21.)
Before the earth road is opened to
traffic, deep and wide side bitches. like
that seen in fig. s, should be constructed,
cleaned and left with the drain thing
connections, if any, in good working
order.
Clay soils. as a rule, absorb water
quite freely and soften, when saturated.
but water does not readily pass through
them; hence they are not easily sub
drained. When used alone, clay is the
least desirable Of all road materials. but
roads constructed over clay soils NAV be
treated with sand or small gravel, from
which a comparatively hard and compact
mass is formed which is nearly imper-
vious to water. Material of this charac-
ter found in the natural state, common
ly known as hardpan, makes, when pro-
perly applied, a very solid and durable
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-04-01

Fig. grade level which car
be used by any farmer or road builder
IN establishing grades for roadways OF
In constructing surface drains or sub
drains for roads or farms.
the surface as smooth and firm as pos
s1ble by rolling, be strictly adhered to.
In fact a good earth road is second to
none for summer travel and superior to
many of the socalled macadam or stone
roads.
Drainage.-'Water is the great road
destroyer" and too much attention can
not be given to the surface and subdrain-
age OF earth roads Gig. 49,. The mate
rial of which their surfaces are composed
is more susceptible to the action of
water and more easily destroyed by it
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-04-01

so as 20 enable wagons 10 pass each
other. Logs are superior TO poles Tor
this purpose and should be used II pos
sible. The following in regard TO the
construction Of corduroy roads is from
Gilmore's Roads. Streets and Pavements:
The logs are all cut the same length,
which should be that OF the required
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-04-01

= % - oSNNloh VI IOOSt uQIOllG0 6drC0
or from pits close by, eIevating graders
and modern dumping or spreading
wagons being preferably used for this
purpose. When the earth is brought I'D
to the final height, it is again narrowed.
then trimmed by means of road Jewelers.
or road machines, and ultimately rolled
to a solid and smooth surface with road
rollers gradually increased in weight by
the addition of ballast.
No filling should be brought up in
layers exceeding 8 inches in depth. Dur
ing the rolling, sprinkling should be at
tended to wherever the character of the
soil requires such aid. The cross section
of the roadway must be maintained dur
ing the last rolling stage by the addition
OF earth as needed. On clay soils a layer
of sand. gravel. or ashes spread on the
roadway will prevent the sticking of the
clay to the roller. AS previously eX-
planned, the finishing touches to the road
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-04-01

Fig. 26.-The Richardson adjustable
tire in place on wheel Of farm wagon.
being kept together, and the top covering
OF soil is excavated from side bitches.
cross drains may usually be omitted in
roads OF this kind, as the openings be-
tween the logs, even when laid with ut
most care, Will furnish more thar ample
waterway for drainage from the ditch on
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-04-01

1t Is considered
Is much cheaper.
constr.
road (fg. 3S) ous
lar fragments or
in layers upon the
foundation and con
hard surface prod.
vehicles or b. use .
S9). The thitkne
With the soil. the
used, and the amour
road is expected 10.
SO thick that the ~
affect the foundation
comes upon q very
face. but is spread
the foundation. ana
the more uniformlv
tributed over the f.
Macadam earnestly
ciple that all artlac
pended wholly for
making and mainta.
foundation and the
foundation with "a
coating or roof OF
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-04-01

IJS. %. dIp TITS "Nh. u.
sizes, 10, y, ana T.. ....
foundation must be solid ...
| be otherwise the crust
road builder should ALWAYS
that without a durable tu.rl..
is no durable road. HuI.r...
Of maCaiam roads are lf..-. ID.
states each year or uuIu,r...
stable foundations and a.l..,
miles go to pieces for this
Says Macadam:
The stone is employ r.
cure, smooth, w~ater-tIgNt "..
which vehicles may pass H...
expedition at all season Or .#.
thickness should be regulate.
the quality OF the material H
form such a flooring and mot a.
consideration as to its own ..
power of bearing weigh.
erroneous idea that the evils
derdrained, wet, clayey soil $3.50
died by a large quantity OF u.-.
caused a large part OF iut
unsuccessful expenditur.s a
stone roads"
Application OF the mator...
from improper constructor -
roads T evc greater than t..e
ing from the use OF improper u.
Macadam INTENDED that
geneouS conglomeratiou 3d..
and mud Gig. 40) should
a macadam road. The ml.'a.. i
made OF depositing broken s..a
old road without first preparing
able foundation. The result.
cases, is that the dirt and u..
the stone from packing and ly .
of traffic ooze to the surfa... us
stones sink deeper and deeper
the road as bad as before.
Another great mistake j.. ..'
of spreading large and sma.. s
a well-graded and w~ell-dTa.-..
ton and leaving them thus ..r
consolidate. (See fig. AL THE
in constant turmoil by the large
which work themselves 10 I'll.
and are knocked hithcr an.
the wheels OF vehicles and tH
a road left in this manner Ie a
animals. These plans OF con.
not be too severely c~oudeu-.-
The roadbed Gig. 42J s.y..
graded, then carefully .r
The earth should then b" .
the depth to which ma-ft.a.
spread on, and the "fOuut1..-
shaped and sloped each Ha.
center SO as to diSchaIE.
which may ~percolate throara.
Vature should conform 10 .u.
OF the finished road. a
firm earth or gravel shg...
made on each side to ho.. .
IN place, and should eItr-. ..
at the same curyat4r" .a
road. The foundation s..--
until hard and s-..."
Upon this bed spread "a ..
inches of broken stOHe
should be free from any .....
This layer should be ts".
until compact and firm .r
stone may be hauled tr
crusher bins or from the
ordinary wheelbarrOws or
md should be Distribute
surface with shOFa..
leyeIed W BY ..
Il this method of SpeaH..[
grade stakes should be- a
sure a uniformity or n"
ne stakes are driven I'll.
aver is marked on tGa
hought necessary a p-e
s stretched from stake g.,
he exact height TO @a
hculd be spread. Spre
% have been recently
Iot only place the stone
q without the use OF sI...
on in layers OF any
nd at the same time
than the carts ta
II the stones have beeu
or three different
ize should compose tn
mould be thoroughly
oiled and sprinkled ul...
rm, compact and suoa.-
yer, however, should l
S the water is liable
'~undation. The rolling o
long the side lines fir-t
lg toward the center as
In rolling d.
we'll to begin by ra
loulderings or the side
iist.
A coat Of three-quartet ill.,.
'reenings, Of sufficient
axe a smooth and unt..
lould compose the last co-.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-04-01

prising communities the
most important thorough
fares are surfaced with
pravel, shell, stones, OF
other materials Unless some
new system for the improve
ment Of public roads is
adopted, the inability of
rural communities to raise
raise funds for this purpose
will necessarily cause the
construction of hard roads
to be very gradual for some
time to come. Until this
new system is adopted the
most important problem will
be that of making the most
of the roads which exist,
rather than building new
ones of specially prepared
materials. The natural ma
terials and the funds al
ready available must be
used with skill and judg-
ment in order to secure
the best results. The loca-
ton grades and drainage
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-04-01

means OF road machines. If not, the re-
CURED earth should be obtained by
widening the side excavations. or from
cuttings on the line of the new roadway.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-04-01

Fig. 12.-Subdrain constructed with drain
tile and stone.
than any other highway material. Drain
age alone will often change a bad road
into a good one, while on the other hand
the best road may be destroyed by the
absence Of good drains.
RolHng.-The same can be said of roll
ing, which is a very important matter
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-04-01

Fig. 9.-Miles's drainage scoop for pre-
pairing bottom of ditch for the tile
drains.
prevent the soil from washing in and
cloggiIg them.
DIFFERENT KINDS OF ROADS.
Most of the roads in this country are
Of necessity constructed of earth, while
in a few of tie richer and more enter
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-04-01

rS: 10 ross section OF a 1f-foot road showing HI result of in,ona.o a.
ZION ana drainage. Note that the center of the road has hemaa ~ %
impaSabe N"' NAMING ne road practically
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-04-01

Fig. 21.-Russell steam road roller built
in all sizes and can be used for rolling
roads. crushing stone, saving wood,
thrashing, etc.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-04-01

Fig. dissection of loose unrolled earth
road.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-01
Dickens as Autobiographor

The mnst striking instance OF the folly
o. trying 10 read autob,ogr Apply irt? a
npvelist's Writings is affor .si BY. Mr
i''rcy Fitzgerald. who recently putlishe1
an article on Dickens. In which he tried
T., appl, the story of the :wo sisters in
"The Battle of Life" TO .hs history OF
Dickens marriage. Mr., Fitzgerald, with
an iraccuracy which is simply unforgiv-
able In one who has always talked -
loudly about his allegiance TO. Dickens,
assumed that Dickens was really in love
with the elder Miss Hogarth, and then
married her younger sister, and on this
fabric OF assumption, with the help, OF
the hypothetical autobiography embed
ded In THE Battle of Life" The blun'
der would be ludicrous IL IL were not of
nature to give considerable pain to the
surviving members of the Dickens Fam
lily. one of whom has sent a strong and
well-deserved protest to the current num-
ber OF Harper's Magazine. in which the
peccant article was originally published.
He speaks with justifiable severity of the
extraordinary way in which Mr.. Fitz-
gerald has woven wild and fantastic
legend. based upon an absolutely errone-
Gus statement OF the facts. OF course.
there Is no ground at all for Mr.. Fitz-
terry attaching TO Dickens affection for
Mary Hogarth and II is only the desire
to air his own cleverness In perceivjng
the real foundation" Of The Battle or
Life" that led him into blunder 80 RI
dculous. And yet with all these mod
ern instances before their eyes. people
continue gayly TO extract .'autoblographi-
cal revelations from Shakespeare's SON.
netS.-London News.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-01
Boxing With Your Feet.

In France IL is legitimate to dot"
your boxing opponent zone under the ma :
SAL with your boot. lfyeu tap the
claret," TO use more boxing ring phraseol-
ogy, by such means, you are vigorously
applauded
IL an English or American boxer adopt
ed such tactics he would promptly be
relegated to the ranks OF hooliganism.
Englishmen have a national prejudice
against using the feet in combat, and are
inclined to regard the Frenchman who
does fight with his feet as humbug.
Furthermore. the average Englishman
Is inclined TO regard fghtihg with feet as
a rather clever kind OF gymnastic display,
but OF no real utility In warding off or
giving a knockout" blow.
This Is a mistaken idea, however. A
week or so ago I'm Paris boxing con-
test took place, i'm which three Frenchmen
fought two Englishmen and an American
The latter. OF course. used their. fists
only: the former feet and fists. too
Most Englishmen. watching a French
boxing match. are of opinion that IL the
leg that describes so many circles round
the others nose could be caught hold Of
the Frenchman could be thrown down
with heavy damage. They are mistaken
however.
II the offending leg were caught the
Frenchman would Immediately support
his whole weight from the ground BY his
arms. and. with the disentangled foot he
would deal succession OF stunning blows
on the others head with dire consequen-
ces But a French boxer never attempts
to throw his opponent by catching his
legs.-L O. L.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-01
A UNIQUE GARDEN SPOT.

After the turmoil OF the long summer
one instinctively casts about for a win
ter's abode. place remote from the
whrl OF the city where quietness reigns
and where the advantages OF the metrop-
oils may be had Is invariably chosen The
busy man. of course. wishes TO be within
Mailing distance OF New York and lust
far enough away that the train ride Is not
tedious. That fashionable winter resort,
lsakeW ood, y. j., meets every demand. A
ninety minute journey lands you In Lake
wood. where your most particular whims
are catered 10 and the conveniences af-
forded are Dalafu IN every respect The
public schools are model educa tional in
Istitutions and there are also several pri-
vate schools of reputation. The climate
at Lakewood H. at least 10 degrees warm
er than New York or Philadelphia The
roads for those who enjoy driving or the
auto are exceptional. The pine belt in
which this charming resort is located is
heathfu i'm the extreme, and for social
environs Lakewood has no equal.
The hotels are marvelousy kept hostel
ri.s and every contrivance Is at hand for
| the convenience and comfort OF the
guests Outdoor life Is the thing at
Lakewood and golf. polo. cross country
riding and coaching are. of course, the
favorite recreations. III you want TO
know more of Lakewood. send n postal
10 c. NJ Burr. general passenger agent OF
F the New Jersey Central. New York de-
par,ment Sli. for booklet and time table.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-01
The Gothenburg System.

There are more than 500 places In the
Swedish town OF Gothenburg--it has a
population OF l50 000-wheFe liquor Is
sold. OF these "a only are under the
operation of the system. These have .
monopoly of the sale of spirits. but beer
and wine are sold in the others. Beer.
indeed. can be sold anywhere.
The system Of drinking is amazing.
Before the closing hour tabout 6 p. m.)
stream OF men passes through. Some
drink at two gulps 3is ounces OF branvin
equivalent 10 more than IA ounces OF
pure alcoho), a spirit OF the worst quail
ty; the majority are content with half
the quantity at one gup. There is 10
water TO be seen; nobody dilutes his
dram.
The spirit shops closed. many custom
ers turn to the places where wine and
beer are sold. The wines are doctured
drinks made up OF spirit and sugar. The
strongest beer contains per cent OF all
cohol And what is the general resultf
1T is one of the most drunken places
ever saw" said DIR. Shadwell. in his book
on Drink. Temperance and Legisla-
ton" Only the drunkenness Is not SO
disastrous as II once was before the sale
of spirits was regulated by the "Gothen-
burg system" Beer. to put the matter
shortly. is less destructive than spirits.
Spectator.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-01
FOR TEMPERANCE CAUSE

New York, k,Octl-Members OF the board
or government of the Catholic Total Alb
stinence union OF America at a meeting
here have mapped out a campaign in the
tntereEts of temperance. IL was agreed TO
cut the national union into six districts
comprising almost every state In the
Union with ar executive member at the
ltad OF each section.
A general appeal will be made 10 the
hierarchy and clergy OF the United States
|in behalf OF total abstinence. Lecture
bureaus will be established and a new
|body to be known as the national COM
|mittee will be selected from the most
prominent temperance workers OF the
.church.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-01
The Worlds Seven Bibles.

The seven Bibles OF the world are the
Koran OF the Mohammedans the Tri
Pitikes OF the Buddhists. the Five Kings
OF the Chinese, the three Vedas OF the
Hindoos, the Zendavesta and the Scrip
lures OF the Christians.
The Koran Is the most recent OF these.
datinb about the seventh century after
church. IL is n compound OF quotations
from the Old and New Testament the
Talmud and the Gospel OF St Barnabas.
The Eddas OF the Scandalnavians were
first published I'm the fourteenth century.
The Pitlkes OF the Buddhists contain
sublime morals and pure aspirations and
their author lived and died I'm the sixth
century before Christ. There is nothing
OF excellence IN these sacred books not
found In the Bible.
The sacred writings OF the Chinese are
called the Five Kings. the word kings
meaning web of cloth. The contain the
best sayings OF the best sages on the
duties OF life. These sayings can not be
traced further back than 100 years be-
fore Christ.
The three Vedas are the most ancient
books of the Hindoos and they are be-
lieved 20 date 100 year before Christ.
The Zcndavesta OF the Persians ~ the
gIeatcst Of the sacred books next 70 our
Blble.-Philadelphia Inquirer.