244 TRANSACTIONS OF THE HORTICULTURAL 



The Committee on Treasurer's Report, reported as follows, 

 through their chairman, Mr. H. R. Cotta. 



Your Committee have compared the Treasurer's Report with the 

 vouchers and find it correct, we recommend its adoption. 



Respectfully submitted, 



H. R. Cotta, 

 L. R. Bryant, 

 A. Dunning, 



Committee. 



On motion the two reports were adopted. 



Mr, L. Woodard extended an invitation to the society to hold 

 its next meeting at Marengo. After some discussion the matter was 

 referred to the Executive Committee. 



COUNTRY HIGH WAYS — HOW SHALL WE IMPROVE THEM? 



BY L. R. BRYANT, PRINCETON. 



Aside from the successful growing of a crop, and the question 

 of the price, that can be obtained for it, there is no subject of more 

 practical interest to agriculturists than our country roads. That 

 they have been shamefully noglected does not alter the fact, but 

 only shows how blind some people are to their own interests. As 

 our country grows older and increases in wealth, the highways receive 

 more attention and will continue to do so. Roads over which one 

 can haul a load or speed a horse at any season of the year, are of 

 inestimable value. The worth of farm or orchard products, often 

 depends on the ability to get them to market at a certain time, but 

 too often when prices are highest a large share of the country is 

 under a mud embargo. 



Without any doubt the coming highway in this part of the state 

 is to be a raised, hard roadway in the center of gravel, macadam or 

 similar material, with a side track, on one or both sides, for light 

 driving and travel in dry weather. This item of side tracks should 

 be insisted on, as no road is so good as a dirt road, when it is good, 

 and it is more pleasant to drive on, easier for horses, saves much wear 

 on the main road-bed and in case of a snow fall, often makes the 

 better track for sleighing. Good drainage, of course, is an essential 

 feature in road making, and all road-drains should be of sufficient 

 capacity to take the water from all land that naturally drains that 

 way. But I did not start out to discuss roadmaking and engineering, 

 as that can hardly be called a horticultural subject, but rather to sug- 

 gest some ways of caring for, and beautifying our roads after the 

 engineers have done their part. And why should not the roads we 



