The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1910-02-05

ernOr Sanders urged tnau une peopie
of Grant parish should use the split
log drag in working their roads. He
has seen the roads in several States
that were kept in splendid condition
by the use of this simple and cheap
continuance. In the month of June.
1908, the Chronicle printed descrip-
ton of show to make split-log
drag" and we consider this a good
time to reproduce that description,
as some road-worker may want to
give it trial, as follows:
Que of the latest publications is
sued by the Office vi Public Roads OF
the q. 4. Department of Agriculture
treats Of the split-log drag, an instru-
ment which numerous experiments
have conclnsively shown to be the
greatest possible boon to keep earth
roads smooth and passable. Because
of it's simplicity, it's efficiency and its
cheapness, both in construction and
opera alton, it in 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 simple and inexpen-
sive matter.
At the present time there are ap-
proximately two million miles OF
earth roads in the United States.
Some OF the most important OF these
roads will eventually be improved
with stone, gravel and other materi-
ais. Many others which are equally
important cannot be so improved on
account of lack OF fnnds 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 ma
iority OF our roads must be main
tanned as earth roads for many years
to come. This must be done by in
expensive methods, and the split-loR
drag will be powerful uid If economy
il the demand.
In the construction of this imple
ment, care should be taken to MAKE
it SO light that one man can llft II
with ease, light drag responding
more readily to various methods o
hitching than heavy one, as well al
TO the shifting Of the position OF tn
operator. The best material for
spIit-log drag is q red cedar log
though red elm and walnut are excel
lent, and box elder, soft maple, o
even willow, are superior to OAK
hickory or ash. The log should b
between z and 10 feet long. and iron
10 to IL inches in diameter at tn
Init end. 1t should be split CAREFUL.
AZ near the center as possible, an
rho hen West and best slab chosen 10
the front. In the front slab, fou
inches from the end which Is to dra
ia the middle OF the road, bore a
inch hole which is to receive a eros
stake. At distance Of ~ inche
from.the other end OF the front sla
locate the center for another stalk
The hole for the middle stake will :
IN . line connecting and hall wa
between the two. Then place IL
back slab In position, and from tt
end which is to drag in the middle
the road measure 20 inches for II
center OF one cross stake, and 81
inches from the other end locate tt
center Of the opposite stake. II
hole for the center stake should
located half way between the tw
All these holes should be careful
bored perpendicular or at rig'
angles to the face Of the log.
II these directions are followed
viii be foand that when the holes
the front and back slabs are broug
opposite each other one end OF 9
hack slab will he Is inches nearer {
center Of the roadway than the fro
one. That gives what is known
sset back
The stakes. which are 30 inch
long, will hold the slabs this distau
apart. When the stakes have be
firmly wedged into their sockets,
brace about 2 inches wide may
placed diagonaIly to them Mt
I.A.l .rd ~ tho drag A cieat