The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1916-08-04
ROAD WORK
TAUGHT BY
UNCLE SAM
Experts Tell How to
Make Good Dirt
Highways
QUALITY OF
4 CLAY FIGURES
Bl UNITED 49,

N WASHINGTON. Aus Al.
"a though it will be impractical fo-
n many years to come 10 improve
more thar a su.al per cent of the
roads OF the country with hard sur
1aces." said the United STATES Office
o. public roais today. roads should
n not be neglected, ard with "a little
81 care may In many cases be made
& adequate 10 the needs Of the com.
munities they serve"
b Many country roads. the govern
fment experts said. may be greatly
improved by judicious grading and
Questionable maintenance. Frequent
~, especially in the south. the addi-
ton OF sand or clay 10 the natural
1cal of the road f. ali that is neces-
n eary 10 make road sufficiently
Y oood for all practical purposes.
Thousands OF miles OF roads that
meet the needs OF many localities
&sns well as would a more expensive
type OF construction have been built
a IN the south At an average cost OF
Y $3.50 a mile" the United States road
oervice said
Earth roads should be al least 20
B feet wide and preferably "a 10 50
feet: they should BE- crowned with
IN rise of one inch 10 the foot to
wards the center; they should have
Eoide bitches. through swampy land
&&he road bed should be raised above
1.-THE general level OF the country 10
Mcclure drainage. Fer grading and
browning the road, a drag made O!
h two halves OF split log is in
e0erai use. The split-log drag IS
InAde by joining the halves in a
vurtical position and attaching
hains and iouble-trecs so that
when drawn by horses Il moves
3ong the road at an angle Of - de-
xues. the foremost end 10 the side
~ the road. so that the earth may
~ directed toward the center
The drag should be light enough
~ 10 lifted by one man. Dry red
o1ar In the best material for the
- excellent. Soft maple. elm or
olacw are superior for This pur-
- 10 oak. hickory or ash.
tntform may be placed On the drag
~ the driver Dragging is simple
KnG inexpensive. SAYS the govern
nent bureau. ami when used IN con
snction with road machine. helps
Dnch toward the construction Of a
$50 road. Dragging often costs
III 50 cents a mile A nile OF road
IN be dragged in a few hours.
IN constructing the sand clay
1oad, sand road is FIRST shaped
4nd then covered with from 10
nches Of clay. The sand ard clay
nfe thoroughly mixed with a tooth
&nrrow, first dry, then vet.
On clay road-ted, the same pro
ts~s Is followed with sand eycep,
What the clay should - vel plowed
10 10 insure a good mixture
The iInal mixing hould b. done
I'M rainy weather when the miyins
rs been completed, the road Is
kgought 10 a crpsu n Jne inch 10
1hc foot with splhlcg drag AMI
tosered with a Jhin layer Of sani
after several rains. another layer
of sand may be applied 70 the sur
nee
The principal things 20 be o..
nerved in the construction O. Tho
3nand-clay road Is an even miNtur"
va The sand ami The clay. joint
elays should not be used. The sand
1houid be coarse aud sharp If pcs
oible
In the gravel road the first layer
<of gravel. or coarser size. IS LAID
Ever prepared roadbed oi earth 20
depth of about four inches al the
tonter and three inches Al the side
The second course is put on tao
<nrhes M the center and about l IL
Fox the sides. The whole should be
veil rolled and proper ditches con
Structed nj The sides
Grayels for use in road-constTJc
Alon should be submitted 60 road
txpert for examination as 10 their
tness. MANY ergyels are who'll
nsuited for the purpose.
~