The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-06-07

One of the latest publications issued
by the office of the public roads of the
United States Department of Agricul-
ture, treats of the split log drag. an
implement which numerous expert
ments have cOnclusively shown to be
the greatest possible boon to keep
earth roads smooth and passable. Be
cause of its simplicity, its efficiency
and its cheapness both in cOnstruC-
ton and operation, 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 approx
imately 100000 miles of earth roads
in the United States. Some of the
most important of these roads will
gravel and other materials. Many
others which are equally important.
can not be so improved on account of
lack of funds or suitable materials.
while still others will not require such
treatment because of the light traffic
to which they are subjected. For
these reasons 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 a powerful aid if
economy is the criterion demanded.
In the construction of this imple-
ment, care should be taken TO make it
so light that one man can lift it with
ease. a light drag responding more
readily TO various methods of hitching
than a heavy one. as well as to the
shifting of the position of the opera
tor. The best material for a split
log drag is a dry red cedar log though
red elm and walnut are excellent. and
box elder, soft maple or even willow
are superior to oak hickory or ash.
The log should be between and 10
feet long and from 10 to II inches in
diameter at the butt end. 1t should
be split carefully as near the center as
possible, and the heaviest and best
slab chosen for the front. In the front
slab inches from the end which is to
drag in the middle of the road, bore
two inch hole which is to receive a
cross stake. At distance of - inch
es from the other end of the front
slab, locate the center for another
crossstake. The hole for the middle
stake will De on line connecting and
halfway between the two Then place
the back slab in position and from the
end which is to drag in the middle of
the road measure 20 inches for the cen
ter of one cross stake and inches
from the other end locate the center
Of the opposite stake. The hole for
the center stake should be located half
way between the two. All these holes
should be carefully bored perpendicu-
lar or at right angles to the face of
the split log.
If these directions are followed II
will be found that when the holes of
the front and back slabs are brought
opposite each other. one end OF the
back slab will be Is inches nearer the
center of the roadway than the front
one That gives what is known as
set back" The stakes. which are 81
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
inches wide may be placed diagonally
10 them at the ditch end of the drag.
| oSsaSsd board Is placed between the