The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1908-01-15
HON !
GOOD ROADS |
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS ON
ROAD BUILDING BY DEPART
MENT OF AGRICULTURE.


cIes on various features of road build
ing and maintenance. which will be
published from time to time. Our sub
scribers are urged TO give this matter
careful consideration. and are request.
ed to forward to this once for trans
mission to the office of Public Roads
any practical question which they de-
sire answered relating to road con-
struction and maintenance. Questions
and answers will be published by this
paper at suitable intervals.
No. 1, Series A.
The Maintenance Of Earth Roads.
We may recognize the value of hard
and durable roads in all parts OF the
country, but still the fact remains that
for a long time to come the majority
of the roads will be composed of earth.
Furthermore, in about nine months
out of the year. the earth road. II prop
erly cared for. is reasonably satisfac-
tory. For many agricultural districts.
it is the only road at present availa'
BILE. Hence, these, communities should
set themselves seriously to WGrk t9
learn the best methods Of maintain
ing earth roads all: az eating the
maximum service from them. Pros
per!ty comes 10 tho country to great
extent through the prosperity of the
farmers This fact strongly suggests
49, ;r,nortonca Of giving the earth
rood ovorv nossible care and atten.
t;or IN &c location drainage. construc-
tton ,nI maintenance
A. o,rtb roaI comnosed Of wafer
boiling soil sbouId he exuosed to the
sun ond air nc freely as possible. as
oo,,,no,tsor ba+woan tho shaded and
,,,n,,, rort;ors os sucb n road will
oos,I, inJicate This should be accom-
nIisbed nv clearing n sufficient amount
~ +raes onI underprowth away from
-, ,o,I n r,ust no remembered.
however that sandy and gravellv
roads reouire moisture. and in these
c.ses come shade shouId he retained.
trees are beneficial
,Ionc river hanks and on steep grades
subject to washing.
Drainage Is one of the most import.
an+ noints to consider in connection |
with an Garth road The majority Of |
earth roads in all mountainous and
bil1v districts have tho much drain |
,pe Occasionally n road will be found
with five bitches three in the middle
made nv the horses hoofs and by
wheels Of the vehicles. and two on
he sides. All well-constructed earth
.oads are supnosed to have no more
han two bitches. one on each side of
he travelled roadway. Keep the wa
.n, ont or the middle of the road by
giving II n crown or elevation in the
,ontcr of 7n inches above the top Of
.be inner sIope of the ditch for 90
foot road and wheer the hills are a
;t+1e stoen make the crown 10 inches.
with a crown of about inch to the
foot from tho canter IN tho sides, the
l,tcbes which are often built across
no roaJ IN steen grades to defect
no wotor viii NOT he needed Instead
g o,rrvirr wo+ar across tho road in
,rap ditcbas lilo mr. concrete drains
,hov,d - noss;h,a ba nrov,ded They
,bovI1 bovo erFcient canacitv and
an - carry tho maximum amount Of
wotor that 10 oxnected TO flow through
,hor, a. INV IN et,me The capacity
!. ,noro,ooI n rronort,on to the fall
:. ana,1o. sor instance 19.tnch nine
~, 49, ono vor cent Grade will car
.. ON no,,ons nor minute while the
:, ~ ,0I ,,,no IoiJ On . nor cent grade
."r 80 III osoo ro1Ions nor minute
W. a.. $40 low on,Yort ,,,d flat will
- :" ~, - Ill ono having good
~ ~, - ,. ur ,on, ,tsor, oIoor
~ 49, u,a,ntonanoo 30 an earth road
-, tho n,,staro ~ changing +he
II