The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1905-06-22

o% ways. SltleS, LOW I'D anu
counties owe much to good
roads. Those so fortunate as to ENJOY
good roads do not realize their value
until they locate in vicinity that has
poorly constructed roads. The annual
visit of the supervisor is not always
appreciated by the farmer or by the
man who is compelled by law to work
his required time on the roads. Too
often it is looked upon as useless
burden. Oftentimes it is so, for the
work is really thrown away. Super
yisors get in their time and draw their
pay. The real service Of good road
is often forgotten by officers. as we'll
as by the men working under them.
A general public opinion demanding
good road making is the first essential.
Too much time is wasted and too much
money is spent on good roads and bad
roads. The graft has worked its way
into the maintenance Of the public
highways.
Fiery roadbed must have good drain
aA. Dirt roads become impossible,
and the rock or graveled roads soon
lose their identity. When side bitches
hold water many weeks during the
year, it is a clear indication of bad
drainage. Such roads cut up badly
and are filled with deep ruts. Often
times the side bitches are higher than
the main roadway, and not only have
no standing water in them, but they
shed all the running water into the
wagon tracks. Side bitches that are
serviceable must lower the water table
in the roadbed and carry off all the
surface water that would otherwise
food the roadway.
The graveled or rocked road usually
is graded before the hard material IS
spread upon it, and for short time, ut
least, the drainage is good. Since
water is the worst enemy to good roads
it is likely TO make an attack any day
in the year, it would seem that the
annual woodworking season would not
altogether fill the bill with any kind OF
road, whether it be gravel, rock or
dirt. Roads to be at their best need
attention every time it rains; especi-
ally is this true Of dirt roads.
The grader is excellent for opening
up side bitches and for filling the road
centre. but in many instances the work
the grader can not do is left undone.
Bridges are not properly filled. The
Aends Of bitches are never opened with
the shovel. Even the roadway is left
hollow, because of ignorance in hand
ling a grader.
The Farmers Institutes have inter-
ested a number Of farmers over In
diana in dragging their roads after
every rain and after thaw in winter.
The result of this experiment has in
deed been very satisfactory. Where it
is impractical to have hard material
for road making, good drainage. with
the dragging process, will give farmers
living on dirt roads fair roads through
the entire year. The drag IS so ar
ranged as to drag all loose dirt to the
road centre. and in so doing the wagon
ruts and horse tracks are entirely filled
I'D. There are no holes for holding
water. Then the dragging Of the sur
face when wet puddles the top, so as
to assist in shedding the rainfall,
which then passes to the side bitches.
The success Of the dragging promises
to give the farmers of the dirt road
districts a chance to show their public
spirit in good road making. The farm:
ers join together ard drag the roads
near their homes.-W. B. Anderson, in
the indianapolis News.