750 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Further detailed study developed the location of the best available 

 material in the vicinity of the several roads involved. A study of 

 the existing road system and its condition, together with culverts and 

 bridges, with a view to offering effective advice as to future location 

 and relocation, was undertaken. Considerable assistance in the de- 

 tails of planning road construction of various kinds and the mainte- 

 nance OT completed roads was supplied. An approximate estimate 

 of the cost per mile of a gravel road, crushed-stone road, and sand- 

 clay road, together with drawings for them, form a part of the final 

 recommendations. 



Brazoria County, Tex. — A report to the authorities of Alvin pre- 

 cinct in this county on the method and cost of road improvement 

 was made during June, 1911. The precinct covers approximately 

 260 square miles with level topography. The soil varies from dark 

 sandy loam to a heavy prairie type. The industries are trucking, 

 fruit growing, general farming, and cattle raising. The approximate 

 valuation of the precinct is $6,000,000. Four communities, lying 

 within the precinct, will have to be connected by any system of roads 

 that is adopted. An analysis was made of the present administrative 

 methods and recommendations were made for their betterment with 

 a view to a proper issue of bonds and the expenditure of their pro- 

 ceeds. An examination of the road material disclosed a decided de- 

 ficiency, and certain types of shell construction were suggested. In 

 addition, one gravel road was proposed, for which the gravel could 

 oe obtained for $1.70 per cubic yard. Culvert and bridge designs 

 were submitted and specific recommendations concerning grading, 

 shell surfacing, and bituminous gravel construction were supplied. 

 The matter of maintenance received careful attention. Estimates 

 for the construction of 11 separate roads, amounting to 68.6 miles, 

 were prepared. The estimated cost of these roads totaled $373,411, 

 and an issue of bonds to provide this amount was recommended. 



Howard County, Tex. — A report was made by an engineer from 

 this office to the commissioners' court of Howard County, Tex., for 

 a plan of organization and an outline estimate of the work to be done 

 under a $100,000 bond issue for road and bridge improvement. Sug- 

 gestions were added in regard to road machinery and road and bridge 

 material. A general scheme of organization, involving the duties of 

 the commissioners' court, the road superintendent and foreman, and 

 the organization of a construction gang, together with a schematic 

 chart of the whole, was submitted. The equipment of construction 

 gangs, subdivided into grading gangs, claying gangs, road-machine 

 gangs, and bridge gangs, was worked out. A general explanation of 

 the subjects of location, surface improvement, road material and 

 maintenance, and the construction of culverts and bridges was made. 

 A detailed estimate of the cost of 10 roads, amounting to an expendi- 

 ture of $91,800, with $19,700 additional for culverts, was submitted. 



Milam County, Tex. — A report on the improvement of roads in 

 precinct No. 1, of Milam County, Tex., was made by an engineer 

 from this office with a view to a bond issue. The report was in the 

 nature of a preliminary outline to determine the character of the 

 work and the available material. Precinct No. 1 covers approxi- 

 mately 190 square miles, is well watered, and contains rolling black 



