Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-06-18
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WOOD PAVING.

The first attempts to pave streets with
wood, three-quarters of n century ago,
were failures, and for years after that
no satisfactory progress was made. The
blocks were round, which left large, un-
equal spaces between them. Their edges
broke down and wore off, the wood rot
ted and the pavement was soon uneven
and rough. and therefore dit 'ult to clean
and insanitary. At the present time,
through the selection OF suitable woods,
cutting the blocks into rectangular shape
so that their edges may lie close to-
gcthcr. and treating them chemically to
increase their durability, wood pavement
Is better In many respects than any
other in common use, 1t Is smooth, quiet,
resilient. easily cleaned and easily re-
paired. In wearing qualities It is superb
or TO ma cadam, brick, or asphalt, and in
ferior only to granite and sandstone. In
sanitry qualities 1t exceeds ali but
asphalt, and inferior only to granite and
sandstone. In sanitary qualities It ex-
ceeds all but asphalt. No road surface e
easier to draw a load upon or, as it Is
put in technical language, none offers a
lower "traction resistance" and none is
easier to keep clean Creosoted wood
pavemcnts stands above the average in
smoothness. freedom from dust. mud
noise. reflection of light, radiation OF
heat, and ease Of maintenance.
The first cost of creoSoted wood IL
greater than that of macadam, brick, or
sandstone. On the other hand, It must
be remembered. it exceeds any OF the
first group in wearing qualities. Too
fHt Irrbt ;c ,ad 20
the initial cost of creosotcd wood and
too HI. II It's counterbalan dura-
bility which is equally important in cal
culating investment returns. 1t costs
from $40 to $50 per square yard. laid,
| as compared with an average Of 80 for
sandstone. Sc. 26 for granite. S33o for as
phalt, S2,os for brick, and Soas for ma
adam. In a number of cities in which a
study has been made.
Cedar has been extensively laid in the
middle west. and oak cypress, white
pine. hemlock. western red cedar. cotton
wood mesquite. Usage orange. redwood,
Douglas fir. and tamarack IN various cit
les OF the country. Untreated American
red gum. tried In England, raised great
hopes but is finally proved unsatisfactory.
Pavement of Australian eucalyptus has
| lasted for from fifteen to twenty years
| In the streets Of London. 1t is more slip
perry, however, than American woods,
| and It's cost. about s. per square yard In
| the United States, Is prohibtive.
In recent years the difficulties which
attended the use OF wood pavement have
been largely overcome by better methods
| OF handling, treating, and laying the
blocks. CreoSote Is the best of the pre-
| servatives IN common use for wood pave
ment. Since 1t Is insoluble in water, !,
| does not leach out. and II a sufficient
amount is injected into the blocks il
prevents the entrance OF water, which
weakens the pavement.
| The blocks should be rectangular in
| shape. For heavy traffic their depth
| should be not less than inches. The
| usual width Is 3 or I inches, and the best
| lentxh from to 10 inches. They should
be laid with grain vertical on con-
| crete foundation having a thin surface
| cushion Of sand or other material.
| The forest service has recently issued
| n publication, circular al, which deals
| with wood paving in the United States
| This publication can be had upon appli
cation to the forester, United States de
par,ment of agriculture Washington, d