OFFICE OF PUBLIC ROADS. 867 



Darlington. S. C. — A sand-clay road built here in July, 1910, was inspected 

 In February, 1912. It was found to be very muddy and in very poor condition 

 after an unusual winter. It had received practically no dragging. The pipe 

 culverts had also been neglected and the wooden head walls had fallen down. 

 The traffic conditions were unchanged. The road seems to have an excess of 

 clay and should be sanded. There are about 500 miles of improved roads in 

 the county which are partly the result of this object-lesson road. 



Florence, S. C — A section of gravel road 170 feet long and another of sand 

 clay 830 feet long were built at this point in November. 1900, and inspected 

 February, 1912. The original road has been dug up by the building of sewers, 

 and it is now becoming a residential street, requiring a more permanent kind of 

 pavement. Preparations are being made for bitulithic construction. It was 

 reported that during the existence of the original road suitable maintenance 

 was provided. This road was the first in the county to be improved, and similar 

 methods have been extended throughout the county. 



Hartsville, S. C. — A sand-clay road was built at Ilartsville in June. 1910, 

 and inspected in February, 1912. It was found to be very muddy, partly due 

 to a severe winter, but it had been dragged only twice since construction. Cul- 

 verts were partially filled with mud, and the settlement of the work around the 

 culverts shows the lack of proper attention. The amount of traffic was un- 

 changed since the time of construction. The road seems to be satisfactory 

 under ordinary conditions, and there has been a general gain in road work 

 throughout the county, although no apparent effect can be traced to the object- 

 lesson road. 



KiNGSTREE, S. C. — Two scctions of sand-clay road were built at this point in 

 April, 1911. and Inspected in February. 1912. Both sections are soft on the top, 

 but are in better condition where dragging has been maintained, and in general 

 they have been carefully dragged. The traffic conditions remain practically the 

 same, although the farmers are now going out of their way to use the improved 

 road. Unusual weather conditions have existed throughout the county and this 

 seems to be the reason why all the roads are in ix)or condition, rather than 

 because of the materials or methods of construction used. About 50 miles of 

 sand-clay road have been built since the object-lesson road was constructed, 

 and a general interest has been aroused for better methods. 



Marion, S. C. — A sand-clay road was built at Marion in June, 1910, and 

 inspected in February. 1912. The material used was of inferior quality. The 

 road has not been properly maintained by dragging, but could be made the best 

 road in the county by this method. The culvert outlet ditches were partially 

 filled with mud. The traffic has trebled, but the surface is adapted to the 

 traffic if the road is properly maintained. This road was the first improved 

 road built in the county and has stimulated the interest in roads. 



Newberry. S. C. — A sand-clay road was built in June. 1909, and inspected in 

 February. 1912. The sand has been washe<l from the surface and the road is 

 very muddy. Several depressions have formed, particularly over the pipe 

 culverts. The road received very little attention except from the use of the 

 drag. The culverts are in first-class condition since they have been protected 

 by masonry end walLs. No change has been noticed in the amount of traffic, 

 and the construction method adopted is suitable to the conditions, although at 

 the present time further maintenance is absolutely necessary. The result of the 

 work has been to stimulate the building of split-log drags. 



SuMPTER, S. C. — A sand-clay road was built here in September, 190S, and 

 Inspected in May, 1910. and in February, 1912. At that time the surface was 

 very muddy. This is thought to be partly due to insufficient drainage, but 

 the road has not been maintained at all. while the trallic has increased mate- 

 rially. The adjoining country is very flat, and drainage is impracticable except 

 by raising the grade of the road. Since its construction 75 miles of road were 

 built in 1909. 85 miles in 1910. and 105 miles in 1911. 



WiNNsnoRo, S. C. — A sand-cliiy road was built in this vicinity in August, 

 1909, and inspected in February, 1912. The original road was built of inferior 

 materials. The Inspection was made during a rainy season, and the road was 

 found to be covere<l with about 1 inch of mud. There has been absolutely no 

 maintenance, but it is reported to be in gocxl condition during dry weather and 

 would be adapted to the traffic conditions If properly maintained. F*airtiold 



