The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1905-04-07

| ~
q tons OF life are beginning
to realize the importance
WOW OF better Improvement Of
the puoiic highways. It is being fell
that the future interest OF American
agriculture win be retarded in it,
growth unless the construction OF bet
ter roads are commenced. 1t IS felt
that money spent In the undertaking
by the National and State govern.
ments, IL wisely directed, would be re-
turned to the people prohtably. Such
an undertaking by our Government
would be an enormous one, yet such
an aid to the agricultural classes, re-
sulting In bringing about a more uni
versal prosperity on the farm. would
more than compensate the expendI-
ture OF the public fund. The very ex-
istence OF our nation. and the future
prosperity OF the American people of
all classes and avOcatlons depend not
largely but wholly upon the success Of
the farmer. We are not only feeding
and clothing 10000 900 OF our own peo-
pie, but the world Is annually becom-
Ing more dependert upon the agrlcul-
tural resources of this country. Hun.
dreds OF millions Of dollars are annu-
ally appropriated by the National Gov
eminent which Is expended in the In.
terest Of the cities OF our country.
Congressman and Senators appropriate
inc peoples money with a lavlshness
which Is growing each year more reck.
less In the erection or Improvement OF
public buildings or other things de.
manded by the larger cities of tho
country. The improvements of wnter.
ways by the National Government II
wisely done, Is an indirect aid to the
FARMER but Of more material assist
ance to those who actually enjoy their
Dement'S In daily intercourse with the
commercial traffic Of the farmers pro.
ducts.
what we want to see and which we
have a right to demand Is that the Ma.
tional Government appreciate the posi-.
ton OF the farmer and extend to him
that direct aid aud assistance to which
ne is entitled. We are heavily taxed
directly ana indirectly We should re.
ceive such attention aud assistance as
the Importance OF the agrlcuturlst is
to the prosperity and welfare OF his
country. The annual appropriation
made to the Agricultural Department
at Washington Is largely restricted by
law to meet the personal wishes Of the !
members OF the National Legislature
The most important literature of the
Agricultural Department Gun only be |
obtained by the farmer making request |
through his representative I'm Congress. |
ana even then the number OF any par |
ticular bulletin IL restricted
In these counties where the public |
roads are worked by hired or convict |
labor, under plant OF taxation. the |
superintendent of the road construc-
ton should be supplied with a good
level, and his work made to conform
to the instrument rather than to the
naked eye. SO grade the rOadbed and
arrange the bitches on either side that
the ralnwater Will be carried off rap
Idly and have no time TO settle on the
bed, and start up n system OF surface
cutting by our narrow tired wheels. il
Is estimated that on every mile OF our
roads Of standard width there
falls each year 2TOOO tons Of water.
On our characters Of soil generally this
water Will stick and work the dirt up
into soft mud. We cannot, therefore.
have good roads unless we arrange to
get rid OF this surplus water. This can
only be done on dirt roads by so elc.
waiting the centre OF the bed and put
ting I'm wide deep bitches that will
cause the rain to run rapidly of. Every
piece Of rOadbcd graded properly
should be followed by heavy steam
Dr horse power roller. The dirt is &C.
nentcd together. tile rain as II falls
strikes n hard. slick surfAce and
washes OF, Besides all the little ine-
qualities In the road surface are filed
pr hattened down, which nothing less
han the roller can accomplish. The
hing most important now to do Is to
grade. surface up ana drain the dirt
'Oadbcd so as to render travel over
hem inviting and economical.
When these things shall have been
accomplished perhaps the way may bc
made clear to advance further along
he line OF progress in the desirable
Erection Of securing firstClass perma.
rent roads. To undertake n detailed
itatement In figures Of the annual loss
n dollars to the farmers OF the coun-
ny 10y reason OF bad roads would be a
'oluminous piece OF work. This is un.
necessary, because every farmer real. I
Ses the extra cost which bad roads I'm
I'm 49,. i.