Barbour County index., 1910-07-20

By I. w. CHASE, UNIVERSITY OF
SEIB3RA,SkAA A - AGRICULTURAL EX-
The split-log drag, or, as it is COM
monty called, the king" drag, is with
out doubt the best implement for
keeping roads in shape and in many
instances is as efficient as any other
implement in the construction of
earth roads.
The king drag can be constructed of
either split log or plank, but in
this state the plank is much easier to
obtain than the log, hence this brief
description pertains to the construc-
ton from planks.
Select a good yellow pine, ash or
oak plank two inches thick, twelve
inches wide, and fourteen feet long.
Cut this in two at an angle so that one
edge of each piece is seven feet and
six inches long and the other edge is
six feet and six inches long. Spike to
the back and along the center of each
of these planks a two-inch by six-inch
piece, which reinforces the plank.
Bore the holes for the cross stakes
about twenty-six inches apart and
four inches from each end with a two
and one half inch auger, using care to
keep the auger perpendicular to the
plank. The two-inch by four-inch
brace at the front end should start
from the middle of the rear plank and
drop to the bottom part of the front
plank. The blade, which is generally
M cl@
given the proper cutting slope by
placing wedge-shaped strip between
1t and the plank. One end of the
chain is fastened to a cross stake and
the other passes through a hole in
the plank and is held in position by
means of a pin.
The use of the drag is more salts
factory If the road has first been
crowned with a blade grader, but
whenever this Is not convenient and
the traffic is not too heavy the road
may be gradually brought to a crown
by means of the drag.
The surface of the average country
road should be covered in one round
with the drag. One horse should be
driven on the inside of the wheel
track and the other on the outside
the drag being set, by means of the
chain, so that it is running at an an
gle of about As degrees with the wheel
track and working the earth toward
the center of the road. In the spring
when the roads are more likely to be
rutty and soft 1t is generally better
70
places more times.
The drag should be f1oored with
boards which are separated by open
spaces Of sufficient width so that the
dirt which falls over will rattle
through and yet they should be close
enough so that the driver can move
about upon the drag quite freely.
To insure the successful operation
| Of the drag it is necessary for the
driver to use careful judgment Some
times 1t is essential that the blade be
held down so that the drag will cut
roots and weeds, while at other times
the front edge should not bear toe
heavily upon the surface as it will dig
out soft place which would be bet
I0A - i0AI uAuioIui DSu. 1HlS IeSuid
tion of the cutting edge can be ac
complished by the driver moving back
and forth or to the right and left on
the drag.
If the road is to be crowned with
the drag it is often well to plow a
| light furrow along the sides and work
| this loosened dirt to the center.
On roads with heavy traffic the drag
| should be used much oftener and with
more care than on roads with light
traffic
The distance from the drag al
which the team is hitched affects the
cutting. A long hitch permits the
blade to cut deeper than short