The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1907-03-01
GOOD ROADS
WITHOUT COST.
Dirt Roads Can be Made as
Good as Pike.
Such Results are Procured by use
of Road Drag Applied as
Directed.
Western Recorder.l


So closely CONNECTED with the
progress of our civilization is the
problem of good roads with reli-
rgious paper is fully justified in Civ
Ting it large space. Good churches
and schools in the rural districts wait
on good roads. How can we get
them? Macadam or rock roads are
usually considered necessary; and as
they cost two thousand dollars a
mile, their rapid and general con-
struction is a practical impossi-
bility. But dirt roads can at tri-
vial cost be made as good as maca-
dam. This is not theory; it has been
amply demonstrated. The process
is so absurdly simple that people can
not be convinced without actual trial.
Will each farmer who reads this lay
aside doubt and prejudice and ex-
pertinent faithfully for one year?
Reasons will not be given, merely
the method. Follow it, and then
criticise. The only machinery is the
'"split log drag" To make the
drag, split into two equal pieces a
ten-inch log seven feet long. About
three feet apart bore three holes in
each and insert strong ties or braces
and wedge them securely, so that
the logs may be thirty inches apart
with the split sides out. On the
ties lay planks to stand on, but do
not spike, as they must often be
moved. Put stake upright in each
half log to steady the driver. Bore
hole eighteen inches from each end
of one log, and through the holes
fasten a light log chain about eight
feet long. Attach a doubletrse a
few inches on one side of middle of
chain, so that when the drag is pull
ed one end will be about two feet
ahead on the other. Hitch a good
team, and let driver stand on planks
on drag. By moving from one end
to the other, the driver can give the
drag any angle desired, and by stand
ing in front of rear he can make
the front log cut more or less. A
three inch plate of steel three feet
= long attached to front log helps, but
is not necessary. Any farmer can
make the drag in two hours at no
money expense. A costly drag will
do no better work.
To operate the drag simply drive
on the wagon track, so that one horse
walks in a horse path and the other
walks outside the track and the rear
end of the drag is about the middle
of the road. This fills each track
with dirt and carries little to the
middle of the road. Of course the
roadway must be comparatively free
from deep bitches in the middle.
Drag the road Immediately after ev-
ery rain. Do not wait for it to dry.
Drag even when the road is slushy.
Keep this up after every rain, not
occasionally, but during the whole
year. Up and down the road once
after each rain is enough. For two
or three months the results will be
slight. After a year OF faithful
dragging the demonstration is COM
plete. The dragging prevents the
formation of deep ruts, gradually
raises the middle of the road, and
the thin coat of mud on the surface
is "puddled' earth and has almost
the effect of coat of cement or
concrete. Without ruts water can
not stand, and the layers OF dried
mud form an impervious covering
preventing the water from sinking
into the roadbed. Kept up regular
", this simple process gives a convex
surface free from ruts and SO hard
that water can not go through 1t.
This prevents softness in spring,
summer and fall, land freezing in win
ter With such conditions the road IS
good all the year, and is easier on
teams and vehicles than a rock. No
money is required and the work
can be done when farmers are idle'
80, q .,.~ob;oa tbat