The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1909-05-06
THE ROAD DRAG.
An Economical and Practical
Means of Improving Earth
Roads.
Progressive Farmer.

throughout this territory of the
need of better roads which, to
one not familiar with our ways,
might be taken to indicate that
We are ready right now to build
the best roads possible. The
advantages of good roads are
enumerated with apparent con-
viction, and although those stat
ed are great and many, it must
be admitted the case has not
been over-stated. But are we
making use of the means at our
command to better the roads we
have? In many sections earth
roads are all we can hope for
within the lifetime of those
now living, for the simple reason
that all others are too expensive
to build. These earth roads are
in no better condition, in most
cases, than they were five, ten
or fifteen years ago. Is this
a hopeful sign for immediate
improvement in our roads as a
whole? 1t must be apparent to
all that our only hope for good
roads is to improve those we
now have; in other words, to
improve the common dir road.
Even the building of the social
ed sand-clay road is beyond the
f financial possibilities of many
1t is pretty we'll known by
our people that the road drag
the split-log drag an econom-
ical, effective and practical
means of improving earth roads.
We know full we'll that our past
methods of working the roads
have not very rapidly or ma
terially improved their con-
dition. 1t has been demonstrated
beyond doubt that the best,
easiest and cheapest means of
improving earth roads is by the
use of the road drag. We want
better roads, and we know that
the road drag will give them to
us. We know, further, that it's
use is simple and inexpensive
and the benefits large, but we
do not use it.
In view of all these facts, will
some one tell US why we do not
use the split-log drag on our
dirt roads? We confess we have
been compelled to give up the
conundrum. Not long since the
writer heard a man discussing
the advantages of good roads,
and in course of his talk he
stated he would give 81 an acre
to have a good road in front of
mis- farm of GAO acres. An ex-
animation of the road in front
of his place showed it to be fair
ly we'll graded and drained, but
in very bad condition otherwise
be ,;,use rough and badly cut up.
In fact. it was just such a dirt
road as could be kept in good
condition at the merest fraction
OF the amount this man stated
ne would be willing to pay for a
good road. On being questioned
ne admitted he knew of the
spllt-log drag and had every
reason to believe that the state
ments made Of the results OBJ
tanned from its use were correct.
When asked why he had not
used 1t, he stated that he was
not the road supervisor; and
when asked still further why he
did not use the drag himself and
obtain and maintain a good road
at much less cost than he had
stated ne was willing to pay.
he frankly admitted that he
considered it too much trouble.
Good roads are expensive to build
and cost money and trouble to
maltaln in good condition.
We appear to want good roads,
out 1t is certain we do not want
them as much as we profess, or
there would be more split-log
drags in use. When each land
owner is willing, for the sake of
a good road in front of his place.
to spend fifty cents to dollar a
month in labor of men and teams
to drag the roads passing his
own lands, then, and not until
then, shall we have passed be-
yond the talking stage on to the
working stage of a desire for
good roads. By all odds, this is
the cheapest and most effective
means of improving our earth
roads which is within our reach,
1t IS so cheap, and so effective,
that it ought to be in use on
every mile of earth road in our
territory; but we venture tc
guess that there is not now in
use an everage Of one split-loe
drag to the county throughout
our territory. Can any one tell
US why?
Farmers Union Meetings.