The Mount Holly news., 1919-12-16
(Prepared by the United States Depart
want of A Crinu1ft1ra

(ETGQdTeQ Dy the OnilO0 OtdlcS OSpSrC-
ment Of Agriculture.)
Good-road building, like charity,
should begin at home. This is another
way of stating that private roads on
the farm are as important to the in
terests they serve as the public roads
over which the farmers product Is
hauled to market.
In proportion to its use poor pri-
vate road to farm is as great hand
leap to efficient marketing as well as
other farm operations. as poor pub
lie highway. The fundamental princi-
pie involved In the construction of the
two kinds Of roads is the same. ac-
cording to the bureau of public roads
of the United States department Of ag-
riculture. But, as the farm road Is
called on to bear far less traffic, the
ordinary methods of construction and
maintenance are so modified and the
use of materials so adapted as to meet
the special requirements and reduce
the cost. To build the farm roads in
the same manner and design as pub
lie thoroughfares which carry much
greater traffic, in general. would be a
useless waste of money.
The first consideration is the loca-
ton of the roads and paths about the
farm. The roads and paths are part
of the permanent farm plant. Conse-
quently they should be so located as
to serve best the purpose for which
they are intended, should fit in with the
general scheme of the farm and at
the same time should avoid, as much
as possible, places which would re-
quire difficult and expensive construc-
ton or maintenance. The main con-
sideratiop, however, must be to Sc
cure the highest degree Of efficiency
from the farm plant as whole.
ideal Arrangement Of Lanes.
The accompanying diagram, showing
an ideal arrangement Of farm build
ings as well as of connecting lanes
and drives, offers helpful suggestions
to the farmer who is planning new We
hicle ways in the immediate vicinity
of his farmhouse. This particular ar
/ TdIlReIu6uI lS 1OI q luSlCd0 OSS0PJ
ing a corner lot, which permits sec
ond, or rear, entrance from the public
highway, this lane, running to tbs
north, shown at the right side Of thf
diagram, is a convenience In cast
stock is to be driven to the market
in that the animals need not be driver
past the house, thereby subjectint
shrubs, trees and the lawn to possible
damage. One feature that should ht
taken into consideration in planning
the roads near the farmhouse is the di
rection Of the prevailing winds. II
this instance the main entrance LAM
and drive have been located to th'
north of the house, so that dust from
them will ordinarily be carried ava,
! from the dwelling.
The earth road is the most common
| type of farm road and will probabl.
so remain. When properly crowned
drained and maintained with the split
log drag or other similar device, tn
earth road, on all but few exception
al soils or in a few places immedi
ately around the farm lots and build
ings, can be made to answer the re
quirements fairly well. A little gra6
ing will in general give the earth roa
a crown sloping from the center to
ward the side bitches at the rate o
about one inch to the foot, and sid
bitches of sufficient size to carry ava
the storm water can usually be cor
structed without difficulty. If tn
ground Is springy, the side bitches ma
be made deeper. or the ground waite
may be carried away by tile drains.
Good Drainage Essential.
i The fundamental requirement Of a
earth road is always good drainage
This involves, first, the removal of tn
water which reaches the surface Of tn
road from precipitation or otherwise
and second, in certain places the re
moval of any ground water whic
reaches the road from undergroun
seepage. Surface drainage is accom-
piished by securing reasonable fri
crowned roadway and providin
bitches of sufficient size and with an
pie grade and frequent outlets. Sui
drainage to remove the water fror
beneath the road surface or to pr,
vent its passage into the roadbed
usually accomplished most effectivel
by so-called blind drains or by mean
of properly located tile drains.
Roads and drives immediatel
around the farmyards and barr
which are used very frequently 81
usually of sufficient importance
warrant some surface Improvement.
inexpensive Surfacing Materials.
| Many of the materials ordinarily en-
0pporfune Time fnr rakinn Ir