Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1908-06-05
A SIMPLE DEVICE
How to Build And Use The Split
Log Drag.
AN ARTICLE ON THIS IMPLEMENT.
OFFICE OF PUBLIC ROADS OF U. S.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
ISSUES A BULLETIN.

ISSUES A BULLETIN.
One of the latest publications is
sued by the Office of Public Roads
of the United States Department of
Agriculture treats of the split-log
drag, an implement, which numer-
Gus experiments have conclusively
shown to be the greatest possible
boon to keep earth roads smooth
and passable. Because of it's SIM
plicity, its efficiency and its cheap
ness, both in construction and ope-
ration, it is destined to come more
and more into general use. With
the drag properly built and its use
well understood, the maintenance
of earth roads becomes a simple
and inexpensive matter.
At the present time there are ap-
proximately 100000 miles OF
earth roads in the United States.
Some of the most important OF
these roads will eventually be i'm
proved with stone, gravel and 9TH
er materials. Many others which
are equally as important cannot be
so improved on account OF lack OF
funds or suitable materials, while
still Others will not require such
treatment because of the light traf-
fc to which they are subjected
For these reasons the majority OF
of our roads must be maintained as
earth roads for many years to
come. This must be done by mex
pensive methods and the split-loe
drag will be powerful aid if econ
omy is the criterion demanded.
In the construction of this nipple
ment, care should be taken to
make it so light that one man can
lift it with ease, a light drag re,
spending more readily to various
methods of hitching than a heavy
one as we'll as to the shifting OF
the position of the operator, The
best material for split-log drag is
dry red cedar log, though red elm
and walnut are excellent, and box
elder, and soft maple, or even viii
low are superior to oak, hickory o.
ash. The log should be between
and 10 feet long and from 10 to Il
inches in diameter at the butt end
1t shout be split carefully as nea'
the center az possible, and TIT
heaviest and best slab chosen TO
the front. In the front slab fou
inches from the end which is tt
drag in the middle of the road bor'
a two-inch hole which is to recelv
a cross stake. At a distance OF z.
inches from the other end OF tn
front slab, locate the center TO
another cross stake. The hole TO
the middle stake will be on a lin
connecting and halfway betwee'
the two. Then place the back sla
in position and from the end whlc
is to drag in the middle OF the roa
, measure 20 inches for the center
one cross stake and 6 inches frol
the other end locate the center
the opposite stake. The hole fe
, the center stake should be locate
: halfway between the two. A
these holes should be carefully DO
i ed perpendicular or at right angle
4 to the face of the split log.
= If these directions are followed
| 4 i
a will be found that when the hcl
of the front and back slabs al
brought opposite each other, OF
4 end of the back slab will be slxtet
d inches nearer the center OF tt
:, = roadway than the front one. In
< gives what is known as "set back
8 The stakes, which are 30 inch
long. will hold the slaps this oil
lance apart. When the stak
o have been firmly wedged into the
;, sockets, a brace about 2 inch
u thich and 4 inches thick may
It placed diagonally to them at u
> ditch end of the drag. A cleat'
board is placed between the sla
and across the stakes for the driv
: to stand on.
$ By many it is deemed best
e place a stip of iron along the low
e face of the front slab for a cuttil
d blade and to prevent the drag fro
n wearing. The drag may be taste
/, Il ed to the double-tree by means