Weekly Arizona journal-miner., 1908-06-10
,rtor edassdAys Duiiw

u, Of the latest publications issued
 be Onicc of Public Roads of tho
 ,eI states Department of Agricul
 ,r,ts of the split.log drag, an
 kl,meut which numerous expert
 r,, have exclusively shown to be
 greatest possible boon to keep cartH
 ds smooth and passable. Because
 ir simplicity. it's efficiency and its
 l,pnc,,, both in construction and op.
 Iuon, !, IS destined to come more
 mo,c into general use. With the
 Ir properly built and its use we'll un
 rrood thc maintenance of earth
 a, becomes s simple and inexpensive
 ter
 Az ,hc present time there arc ap
 psinlawly 2,000,0o0 miles of cart,
 ,d. no the United States. Some of
 mos, important of these roads will
 .n,ualIy bc improved with stone,
 yc, and other materials. Many oth'
 which are equally important can.
 bc so improved on account of lack
 fuly or suitable materials, while
 n others vii not require such trca,
 ln, because of the light traffic tD
 ich they are subjected. For these
 snn Inc majority of our roads must
 maintained as earth roads for many ars 'u come. This must be done by Ibpcu,lvc methods md tho split.log hg vi. bc . powerful aid if economy
 The .rtcrion demanded.
 In tur construction of this implc. |n,. rHrc should be taken to make i,
 hgh' that one man can lift it wfh sc a light drag responding more adily ,o various methods of hitching b, a hcavy one, as we'll as to the lifting of the position of the operator. ht hcs, material for split.log drag
 dry rcd cedar log, though rcd elm ld walnut arc excellent, and box cid.
 sof, maple, or even willow arc su. rior 10 oak, hickory or ash. The log )onld hc between and 10 feet long kd from 10 to l2 inches ia, diameter Inc butt end. IL should bc split )riully as near the center as possi. c and the heaviest and best slab o>cn for the front In the front slab inches from the end which is to drag ,hc middle of the road bore two. kch hole which is to receive a cross )asc At n distance of % inches from to other end of the front slab. locatc ts center for another cross stake. Tht flr iot the middle stake will be on |, nc connecting and' halfway between p' two. Then place the black slab position and from the end which Is \ drag in the middle of the road f'aSmc 20 inches for tho center of one foss stake and ! inches from the oth end locate the center of the opposite fakc. The hole for the center stakc fouh bc carefully bored perpendicular ' a, rign, angles to the face of ths fGt log.
 II these directions are followed i' fill hr found that when the holes o' Dc front and back slabs are brought Opposite each other. one end of th' back slab will be Is inches nearer tho |en'e' of the roadway than the from ln'. That gives what is known a'
 n back" The stakes, wnich arr |o inches long, will hold the slabs thi' Fi''ance apart. When the stakes hav' been firmly weighed into their sockets brace about 2 inches thick and Inches wide may be placed diagona'', lo them at the ditch end of the drag N 'leatcd board is placed between thu Flabs and across the stakes for ;h' rrvcr io stand on.
 By many it is deemed best to place HriP of iron along the lower face o Tho iron, slab for cutting blade ar' 70 prevent the drag from wearing. Th' 'faR may bc fastened to the doubletr"' 'y means of a trace chain. The chaiI 'hould br wrapped around the left 'sni or rear stake and passed over 'h 'Foh' slab. Raising the chain at thu md oi the slab permits the earth t' 1fiit past the face of the drag. Tn ''h'r end of the chain should be passe' ihrongh hole in the opposite end o Inc front slab, and held by pin passe' Through a link.
 For ordinary purposes, the hiteI mould be So made that the unlosde' ifag will follow the team at an angl '' about i5 degrees, The team shou. DC driven with one horse on either sid 'f tho right.hand wheel track or I'll ,0' fnll length of the portion to D ragged, and made to return in tn ''mH manner over the other half of tn 'oadway Such treatment will nov '"' earth towards the center of tn roadway and raise 1t gradually abov 'he surrounding Level.
 The best result. Wye been obtainc