FARMERS' INSTITUTES. lOS* 



attorney. Here only money is at stake ; but where tlie lives of hundreds may 

 be imperilled, he blindly goes aliead and assumes to pass judgment upon mat- 

 ters about whicli he knows nothing, and almost invariably accepts the lowest 

 bid, whether good or bad. So generally is this understood among bridge builders^ 

 that first-class companies will not put in a bid at country bridge-lettings un- 

 less they are specially asked to and assured that a competent engineer will bo 

 employed to examine the plans presented. The specifications of second-class 

 bridge builders, like patent-right and lightning-rod notes, are most carefully 

 drawn, to deceive the commissioner and protect those perpetrating the fraud. 

 In examining the plans presented at a bridge-letting, we were struck with the 

 utter want of proportion in the different parts of one pLan, and asked tlie super- 

 intendent of the works putting in the bid what engineer designed their bridge. 

 "Well," he replied, "we thought as the span was small (about 50 feet), we- 

 would guess at it and get as near the right thing as we could ;" and because the 

 price vvas low the commissioner had awarded them the contract. That same 

 company have done work in Eaton county. Do you, as taxpaying farmers, 

 want your money thus squandered? 



In the design of an iron bridge guess work ought never to enter; the maxi- 

 mum strains to which any piece of a well designed bridge can ever be subjected 

 are capable of as exact determination as the weight of a load of hay or a 

 bushel of wheat. 



One object in presenting this paper has been to show the necessity of em- 

 ploying skilled labor, and until it is done we shall not be without poor roads, 

 and unsafe bridges. 



I would suggest that in place of township highway commissioners, an engi- 

 neer be employed by the county, who should have entire charge of all roads 

 and bridges in the county, and who should devote his entire time to the 

 work, preparing plans, profiles and estimates of Avork to be done, and all high- 

 way work be let by .him, with the advice and consent of the board of super- 

 visors, to the lowest responsible bidder, and that all highway taxes be raised in 

 money, thus allowing the work to be done at the best season of the year, which 

 now cannot be, as the farmers must attend to their harvests and sowing at that 

 time. 



If this paper should call out any better plan we shall be more than repaid for 

 our efforts. 



DISCUSSION. 



Mr. Strange. — This is an important subject. We should pay more attention 

 to the material with which our roads are made. A layer of gravel is a great 

 improvement to a road, and were it more used a great waste of labor would be 

 saved. If our roads were made as narrow as is recommended in the essay, 

 Avould we not have more trouble with snow drifts? 



Mr. Barnes. — Is not running water on roads very objectionable ? 



Mr. Davis. — It is, but water on the road will be absorbed whether running or 

 stagnant ; the quicker it can be drawn off the better. 



Mr. Clarke Foote, of Vermontville, gave a short extempore address on his 

 experience and observation as a farmer, which closed the afternoon session. 



