368 STATE BOAED OF AGRICULTUEE. 



tliey f urnisli all means of transportation cheaper than the public prepares a way 

 over which you must do your own transportation. 



But even our present road system could be made to accomplish a great deal 

 more good, by providing local means which would tend to check the action of 

 its detrimental characteristics, which are different in diverse localities and with 

 different people. For instance, a general discussion of the methods of improv- 

 ing our common roads will do not a little toAvard exciting an interest in the 

 road work and stimulating a spirit of improvement ; and it is to be hoped that 

 all gatherings for the advancement of agriculture will give the serious consider- 

 ation to common roads which their importance demands. 



Until a sjoirit of improvement respecting roads is aroused and a desire for bet- 

 ter roads is felt, it is but lost labor to give detailed statements of the methods 

 of improving our roads. But the advantages arising from good roads are already 

 beginning to be fully api^reciated in this State, and influential men are seeking 

 a solution of the problem that prevents us attaining a system of excellence with 

 our roads. Questions regarding the best kind of road material, road drainage, 

 grades, and metliod of procedure are continually arising, and in a future article 

 an attempt to satisfy these demands will be made. 



Michigan State agricultural college, ? 

 Lansing, November, 1875. ( 



