The Springdale news., 1908-06-05
THE SPLIT-
 LOG DRAG. U. s. Department of Agriculture Issues Bulletin Telling How
 to Make and Use It.

One OI me latest puUIlSdtloHs issued by the Office of Public Roads of the United States De- partment of Agriculture treats ot the split-log drag, an implement which numerous experiments have conclusively shown 10 be the greatest possible boon 10 keep earth roads smooth and passable. Because of it's simplicity, its ef- fciency and its cheapness, both in construction and operation, It IS destined to come more and more into general use. With the drag properly built and its use we'll understood, the main tenance of earth roads becomes a simple and inexpensive matter.
 At the present time there are approximately 2,000, 1000 miles of earth roads in the United States. Some of the most important of these roads will eventually be improved with stone, gravel, and other materials. Many others which are equally important cam not be so improved on account of lack of funds or suitable mater ials, while still others will not require such treatment because of the light traffic to which they are subjected. For these req sons the majority of our roads must be maintained as earth roads for many years to come. This must be done by inexpensive methods and the split-log drag will be powerful aid If economy is the criterion demanded.
 In the construction of this inn plement, care should be taken to make 1t so light that one man can lift 1t with ease, light drag responding more readily to var ious methods of hitching than heavy one, as well as 10 the shifting of the position of the operator. The best maternal for a split-log drag is dry red cedar log, though red elm and walnut are excellent, and box elder. soft maple, or even willow are super for to oak, hickory, or ash. The log should be between and 10 feet long and from 10 to l2 inches in diameter at the butt end. It should be split carefully as near the center as possible, and the heaviest and best slab chosen for the front. In the front slab I inches from the end which IS to drag in the middle of the road bore a 2-ineh hole which Is to re- ceIve cross stake. At a dis tance of 2 inches from the other end of the front slab, locate the center for another cross stake. The hole for the middle stake will be on a line connecting and half way between the two. Then place the back slab m po- sition and from the end which is 10 drag in the middle of the road measure 20 inches for the center of one cross stake and 6 inches from the other end locate the center of the opposite stake. The hole for the center stake should be located halfway between the two. All these holes should be carefully bored perpendicular or at right angles to the face of the split log.
 Ii these directions are follow ed II will be found that when the holes of the front and back sla bs are brought opposite each other, one end of the back slab will be l6 inches nearer the center of the roadway than the front one. That gives what Is known as setback. The stakes, which are S0 inches long, will hold the slabs this distance apart. When the stakes have been firmly wedged into their sockets. a brace about , inches thick and I inches wide may be placed diagonally 10 them at the ditch end of the drag. 4 cleated board is placed between the slabs and across the stakes for the driver to stand on.
 By many # IS deemed best to place strip of iron along the lower face of the front slab for d cutting blade and to prevent the drag from wearing. The drag may be fastened to the double, tree by means of trace chain The chain should be wrapped around the left-hand or req, stake and passed over the from slab. Raising the chain at thi. end of the slab permits the eartl to drift past the face of the drag The other end of the chain should be passed through hole in tht opposite end Of the front slab ant held by pin passed through | link.