The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1908-01-01
Tar on Roads.

AS direct result OF successful ex-
periments with oil for roads in Cali
fornia-and in Oran, Africa, and se,T-
eral towns Of Algiers where aloe and
massot oil were used-road builders
took up the question OF employing
tar, either alone or in connection with
oil for road surfacing In France a
mixture of tar and oil was tried in
1900, and by 1901 such good effects
were obtained with various tar mix
lures, that many miles of roads were
surfaced with them. The French
engineers pursued the subject with
intelligent perseverance, and they
secured some ideal roads for travel
ing. The tar is applied hot at about
210 degrees, and only in dry weather.
After tho tar is applied, sprlnkling
of sand is made over the surface to
harden the mixture and to prevent
slipping of horses and vehicles. BY
the addition of heavy oils, the tar Is
hardened more quickly, and the road
thrown open to general traffic. All
dust and mud are eliminated by the
tarring process, and the roadbei it.
self is kept from injury by heavy
traffic. The waterproof character OF
the tar surface keeps the water from
entering the roadbed, and thus elm
mates one of the most destructive
agencies Of highways.
In England tar is also used quite
extensively for the maintenance OF
the surface of the roads, and In this
country 1t Is also well-recognized
practice. One Of the first applica-
tions OF tar to the surface was made
at Jackson, Tenn. The surface lasted
about seven or eight months. In
Montclair, N. j., mixture Of tar
and screenings was tried In 1904 on
steep grade, and for a year prac-
tically no wear or tear was notice.
able on the road Since then num-
ber of other roads in that town have
been similarly treated at cost OF
about seventeen cents per square foot
including the cracked stone and
screenings. The tarring itself cost
only about FIVE to six cents per square
foot. In several other New Jersey
towns and on Long Island, roads are
now being treated with tarred sur
face for eliminating dust and mud
and for the protection of the road
itself.
The difference between the method
of tarring the surface of roads in
France and this country is in the use
ne ,,nd ~ gnraaptpno Tn Erapca thau
merely sprinkle sand on the tar after
1t has cooled a day or two, but In this
country cracked stones or screen-
ings are either mixed with the tar
or sprinkled upon the surface, with
the purpose of Incorporating them
as much as possible with the tar. The
French roads are excellent and form
a dry, dustless surface, but they do
not last as long as the American
roads of equal excellence. The tar
and screenings, when properly mixed
together, form a sort of cushion,
which greatly reduces abrasion.
The use of tar In territories where
there are ample ralnfalls is far RIPE
rior to oil, for the latter then forms
an emulsion with the water, which
does great damage to vehicles and
clothes. 1t makes the surface mushy,
and resprinkling is necessary at in
tervals. But in dry, hot, arid regions
the oil is superior to tar, and accom-
plishes the object of laying the dust
and forming smooth compact sur
face better. It is consequently a
question Of climate and Typographical
conditions which must determine the
use of materials and methods in any
part of the country.-Scientific
American.