The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1915-04-29
DRAG THE ROADS
BEFORE THEY DRY
HIGHWAY ENGINEER SAYS "KEEP
WATER GUT OF THE ROAD. OFF
OF THE ROAD, AND AWAY
FROM THE ROAD"
G. H. Kendall Of the Department of Ag-
ricultare Gives Specific Instruc-
tons for the Use of the Road
Drag For Road Maintenance

The simplest and most economical
way to maintain an earth road is by
lthe frequent use of road drag in the
right way and at the right time, ac-
1cording to c. H. Kendall, highway ex-
pert of the department of agriculture
who has been giving a series of lee
lures on highway construction and
maintenance at the University With
regard to the use of the road drag, Mr.
Kendall gives the following instruc-
tions.
There are a large number of types
and makes, and each kind has its
merits, but the ordinary homemade
drag of split-logs, or of planks, is just
as efficient. when properly made and
used as the more expensive types.
The objects aimed at in road main
tenance are perfect drainage and a
smooth hard surface.
The first principle is to keep water
out of the road by making the wagon
track smooth, compact and impervious.
The second principle is to keep the
water off the road by giving a crown
to the surface and making the wagon
track a little higher than the gutter.
And the third principle is to keep the
water away from the road by means
of clean open cutters and bitches hav-
ing good outlets from the right-of-
way
the road is soft and muddy, the drag
will smooth the surface of the road
forcing the mud into the hollows and
ruts, and flushing the water off and
to the CUTTERS The drag moves
small quantity of the moist earth to-
ward the center and forms a crown.
This layer of earth, when compress
sed and dried, becomes exceedingly
hard and impervious.
The effect of traffic is to thoroughly
compact this top layer SO that after
a few draggings it will be noticed that
the road is becoming constantly
and harder and the effect
of an ordinary rain is scarcely notice
able-the water running off the smooth
hard surface, which absorbs but lit
tie Of it.
When to Drag
l. Begin in the spring when the
frost has left the ground and the road
begins to dry; but while yet soft.
2. Drag Immediately after every
rain throughout the season.
g. Drag in the fall just before the
ground freezes.
4. Drag in the winter, if the frost
caves the ground. 1t will freeze
smooth.
5. Do not drag dry road. To do
10 is to waste time and energy.
How to Drag
/. Hitch to the drag with log |
hahn drawing it at such an angle as
will crowd a little earth or gravel |
owards the center of the road.
g If the drag cuts in too much, /
horten the hitch; if too little, length
n it.
g. Let the team straddle the wheel
rack. Go down on one side and back /,
n the other.
f. Drive the team on a walk.
>. Ride on the drag, unless the load
; too heavy
The success of this work depends
oIely upon the thorough manner in
hich it is followed up.
The width of travelled way to be 7,
Iaintained by the drag should be from :
inc to twenty feet First drag a
tile more than the width of single
heel track. then gradually increase
ntil the desired width is obtained (.
Always drag a little earth toward ,
le center Of the road until it is raised :
ON four to ten inches above the
Iees of the travelled way. {,
The amount Of earth that the drag :,
i'll carry along can he very consid- :
ably controlled by the driver, ac- 7
riding as he stands near the cutting :
ID or away from it.
When the roads are first dragged af-
r muddy spell the wagon should
i've to one side, if possible, until
e roadway has a chance to partial. :
dry out. f
The best results from dragging are d
tanned only by repeated application. B
that constant attention is +