The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-06-02
MAKE A sPLIT-LOG ROAD DRAG.
anybody Can Make One, the Cost Is
Only Dollar or So, and the Good
Ii Will Accomplish OH Clay or
sand-Clay Roads is IncaIculable.
BY DR.. Joseph Hyde Pratt.

A most timely and sensible edi-
torial was that of yours a week or so
ago. under the heading, "Why Not
use the Road Drag?" We wish to
emphasize the Importance of this
question and give some reasons why
the drag should be used. Throughout
the editorial there is as pirit of an
peal to the people everywhere to use
the split-log drag for the reason that
has proven in thousands of in
Stances the perfect solution to the
earth road problem.
The Dirt Road Is Our Problem.
The editorial states the fact cor
rectiy when 1t says that the earth
road must. for a long time, remain
the majority road in this territory.
Whatever. therefore, improves this
dirt road will greatly benefit the
greatest number of people.
Doubtless every one has heard of
the split-log drag and knows In
general way of It's construction but
OF this number very few know
enough about 1t or realize its vs,ua
sumciently to convince them that
that they should try it, MANY OF
those who have used 1t, and anv one
VINO Will put his convictions and
knowledge into practice with some
degree Of persistency. will be abun-
dainty rewarded by the improved
condition of the road.
Ihere Is often a disposition on the
Part OF many people to resist any
change or invention introducing q new
custom. largely on account of a lack
or knowledge and skepticism regard
Ing its effectiveness. Knowing as we
40. however. what great good the
split-log drag will accompl sh, we
would urge ell those who reside in
clay districts to try the use of the
road drag. at least in a small way.
How TO Make a Road Drag.
The msking of an effective drag is
so simple and inexpensive that al
most any one can do the work. Take
two pieces Of timber by 10 inches
by feet and set edgewise 36 inches
apart. Fasten these together with
two pieces inches by inches by 4
feet long gained in the top edges and
securely nailed With 4os nails to hold
the drag pieces up on their edges.
Bore a hole through the end Of the
tie pieces and use chain (two trace
chains will do for an experiment) to
pass from one hole to the other like
bucket bale.
How to Use the Drag.
This drag can be hitched to so as
to give 1t any angle desired and eth
er end may be carried forward by
shifting the hitch and the chain.
Throw board on the drag for the
| driver to stand on and drive up and
down the road when it is wet If
| YOU have an old cast-Off wagon tire
punch holes in it about six inches
apart and nail 1t to the front drag al
the bottom for a cutting edge. The
entire thing need not cost a dollar
| including the time, for any old bridge
timbers or other stuff may be used
IL sound, and If that is not available
you can get log and split it open
and use that as the name implies
Any one with intelligence enough tC
own two horses has all the natura
ability required to enable him tc
make a practical drag and use it in
diligently.
Clear Out Stumps and Rocks and
You Can Use the Drag.
In fairness to the people 1t should
be stated that the valid reason why
the drag is not used is because ir
many instances the road is not il
condition to he benefited by the use
OF the drag, because the road ha: