The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1906-07-27

I
building Is not entirely new in Missis-
sippi, some of it having been done sew
eral years since In sections of the State
notably the delta, the plan has proven
an excellent one. and it is likely that it
might be adopted with profit by great
many Of the counties where there Is not
too much sand in the soil 1t Is nothing
more than burning of the earth that
forms the road, making it hard and i'm
pervious to water. something like a brick.
Hon. Walter Clark. president of the
I Cotton Association, gave it trial in
conjunction with the Board of Supervis-
ors in his county three years ago, and is
firm believer that the plan Is a success,
in his section at least. lie described the
process as follows: First grade your
road to the required width. 20 or 30 feet,
with crown Of - inches in the center.
Then with a turning pillow, or preferably
a middle buster. made ridges across the
road, something like those for cotton,
throwing up the dirt as high as possible.
These ridges should be feet in width,
SO that wood 4 feet long would meet
upon the top of each. Then cover with
thinking the cracks with bark. chips or
other small stuff. After this wood has
been placed in position. cover with earth
to a depth Of > or inches. smoothing
down as it is thrown on. On top of this
layer of earth place another layer of
wood, parallel with the other and the
road, using any size convenient poles,
logs 5tumps and other stuff. being care
ful to fill in alongside any large stuff
with smaller timber to insure perfect
ignition and an even burn. Then place
- inches of earth on top of this second
LAYER of wood The road is then ready
for firing. Care and judgment must be
exercised in this part of the work to in
sure the best results. If the wind II
blowing at the time of firing, build the
fires in end next to the wind, So that
it will be driven to center or through to
other end. Push Lighted >indling to cen
ter. thereby insuring good fire at that
point. 1t is necessary that the wood
burn out first at the center, allowing dirt
to fall down at that point first. other
wise the hue Will become clogged and
the draft cut off The timber in upper
layer will become ignited at the proper
time from that below, and in few
hours the work viii have been completed.
After allowing the road TO cool suffi
cient for teams to travel on it, a little
attention from road machine and roller
of proper proportions will provide hard,
smooth surface that years of constant
travel will not affect.
Mr.. Clark estimates the cost of mile
of this road to be something like 81 400,
although this would likely vary accord
ing to local conditions Roads treated
by him in this manner three years since
~ in
no sign of wear Even if it was neces-
sary to give it some little attention
yearly. it would still be an economical
plan of taking care of our roads. Gravel
roads, even where gravel can be had,
cost about $1,000 per mile, and this Is
said by those in position to know to he
almost if not quite equal thereto. The
saving in wear and tear on teams, har-
ness and vehicles, to say nothing OF the
increased loads and saving of time, would
soon pay the cost of good roads he
farmer who howls about his taxes should
remember that his bad roads tax is larger
than all the others combined.
Our people have been slow to take adj
vantage of opportunities to improve
their roads. but there is a change taking
place. and the writer believes that a
spirit of progress Is sweeping the country
that will show wonderful improvements !
along this line in the next few years. |
The CRYING need of Mississippi today is
better roads, and the pioneers who are |
blazing the way to improved conditions |
of our highways are the men who deserve |
monuments to their memory III later |
years The writer would like to hear |
from interested parties on this subject, |
and would appreciate suggestions and eN- |
periences from those who have studied |
inJ Via Of
Preparations are being perfected now |
for the holding of several fairs this fall !
and from present indications they will |
be better and attended with more inter |
est than ever before. Counties that hold |
successful fairs are, without contradic- |
ton. the most prosperous, and are max
ing greater strides toward improvement |
along all lines The county fair is a
great stimuant to induce the people to /
improve their production of crops, and /
also their stock. fowls, etc. 1t Is to be |
hoped that in few years almost every |
county in the State will hold an annual |
fair The Mississippi Industrial EXPOSE |
ton. which is the State Fair that follows |
the others and attempts to do for the |
whole State what a county fair will do |
for the county in which it is held, prom
ises to be larger and more interesting /
than in former years. The lease by the
legislature of the old Capitol and grounds
has been accepted by the association,
and preparations for additional buildings
are under way. 1t is the purpose of the I
directors to add a few buildings each
year until sufficient are provided to take
care of all exhibits offered. Looking to
that end, an excellent concrete stone
building, SOx160 feet, will be erected in
time for the exposition this fall and
also some smaller ones. The ground
floor OF the old Capitol will be used
again. and number of large tents pro
vided for stock. dogs. chickens, etc. The
first fair, which was gotten together IN
a few weeks. was a success, 10000 peo-
pie passing through the gates, and the at
tendance last year. the second was more
than double, there being in attendance
Sc. 600 people from nearly every county
in the State and more than half the
States in the Union. The promoters are
very much gratified at the success that
has attended the movement, and 1t would
rot be surprising to see the number OF
admissions sweled to rs 900 this fall.