The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-04-24
INT, HAMILL BOY
| WINNER OF TRIP
Gilbert Bell win GO to State Fair
This Season, All Expenses Paid,
by Winning Lee County
Essay Contest.
IT WAS ON GOOD ROADS
II Man Contemplate Buying Farm,
He Asks About the Condition Of
Roads, Lad Explains in
His Article.


state fair trip this year in the prize
essay contest. the Fl. Madison Demo
crat announced yesterday. This sys-
tenn of stimulating interest and educa-
ton among the boys Of the farm in
Iowa has been in successful practice
for a few years and promises to be-
come permanent feature. Under
the direction of the state authorities,
an essay contest is regularly an
nounced each spring, open to all
rural boys. This year the topic was
How Good Roads Benefit the Farm
err" the winner in each county COM
petition getting all his expenses paid
to the state fair and special. instruc-
ton while there. The county super
intendents act as the judges.
The winning essay in the Lee coun-
ty contests follows:
"a farmer is benefited by good
roads in many ways. First, IL farm
er owns car, which most OF them do.
good roads would reduce his tire, oil
and gasoline expense, also lengthen
the life of his car. And If he wants
to make long drive he will enjoy it
much better IL he knows that he has
good roads before him than If he
knows he has to drive over bad roads.
So if the road were good it would be
pleasure as well as a business trip.
He could also make his trip in less
time on good roads. And IL farm
er breaks some of his tools or needs
something in a hurry he could make
quick trip to town on good roads
while he might be wasting precious
time on bad ones. The roads are al
SO better in winter If they are kept
good in summer; in this way farm
er saves lots of horseshoe expense
which soon counts up If he has to
use many horses during the winter.
| Good roads also save feed and horse
flesh. And If the roads and bridges
are kept in good shape 1t prevents
many accidents to horses that step
! in holes on bridges or in ruts which
| sometimes causes a horse to sprain
or maybe break its leg. Good roads
also aid the farmer in hauling his
! farm products to market and other
things, such as coal, for his own use,
and he does not have to be in such a
| hurry to do his winter hauling II he
/ knows that the roads will not get i'm
passable. Another advantage to the
| farmer of good roads is that IL he
knew the roads would not break up
! he need not be in such hurry about
selling his grain and stock for the
market is generally the highest dur.
| ing bad roads; farmer that had
good roads to town could take ad.
J vantage of high. markets. Good roads
/ also lengthen the life of the farmers
road vehicles, such as buggies and
wagons, and good roads mean prompt
mail service. IL a man wants to buy
farm, the first thing he wants to
know is the location as to good roads
| to town; he will buy quicker If he
| has good roads to town than IL he
| has to travel over bad ones to get to
town, and he will also pay higher
price. In this way good roads mean
quick sales and larger prices. Coco
roads also mean more travel, and
does away with loneliness which
means a whole lot to some people.
| And If a farmer is on the road with a
| heavy load and meets someone else
with a load, and the roads have deep
ruts. it makes it bad for them to pull
out to pass. Sometimes deep ruts
cause broken wheels or axles. Good
roads also give the farmer some Of
the advantages that town people
| have in seeing plays, lectures and
other entertainments. A good road
would make 1t better Tor the renters
! to move.
'If a farmer knew that the rest Of
the farmers were doing their part and
that the road tax he paid was used
to good advantage, he would willing
| ly do his part in keeping the hedges
and trees cut along his farms that
caused bad places in the road. Good
roads would also benefit a farmer in
aiding his children in getting to
school, and his family could visit
more with neighbors and have more
social time. Good roads are also a
great help in military affairs as the
troops could move faster. where
there was no railroad. I also noticed
in a paper that If the roads had not
been good in France at a certain
| time Paris today would have been in
control Of others"