16G STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



wearily along with her thrice-heavy load, she does her duty as before, not, perhaps, 

 so lovingly and sweetly, but with a dogged determination, that persistently 

 does what is placed before her, and much comfort and restfulness are experienced, 

 even under these circumstances, if the children see the situation and take hold of 

 it as they should— never forgetting how a loving word or a tender good-night kiss 

 will relieve the tension and weariness of the dear mother whose first, last and only 

 thought is for them and their future. It is a disgrace and shame when we look 

 upon the list of thosa receiving aid from this county's finances— when we see the 

 number of able-bodied men and women who are not ashamed to ask for public aid, 

 while we have only to look within a stone's throw of this building to see delicate 

 women who have schemed and planned night and day, year after year, unaided 

 and alone, and never asked nor received a dollar from the public treasury to assist 

 them in their struggle, but have raised their children from babyhood to manhood 

 and womanhood and still plod on. Thank God, there is a reckoning day coming 

 and surely there will be a long line of noble, self-reliant, self-sacrificing women 

 who will hear the gentle benediction of the all-seeing God— Well done! good and 

 faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. She hath done what she 

 could! 



GOOD ROADS. 



F. G. CLARK, Iron River, at IRON COUNTY Institute, Iron River. 



It is a platitude to say that the roads are bad. Everyone concedes the fact, and 

 at once concludes to accept the inevitable. As the obstruction to commerce is 

 general, and affects all classes, all seem content with the situation. Nothing is 

 done, probably because of the current belief that improved roads entail an ex-, 

 penditure of too much capital, . nd so the roads of our townships, as also those 

 which are under the direct supervision of our county officials, are maintained in a 

 semi-improved state. In the case of township roads, the construction is almost 

 invariably left in the hands of parties elected, not because of any especial qualifica- 

 tions, or technical knowledge, but for their genial, or liberal disposition, or their 

 ability to control the suffrages of their followers. The administration is in like 

 manner controlled by official boards who are chosen because of their integrity and 

 general ability in every occupation other than engineering. Of all things 

 in the domain of common property, the public road is the most used and the most 

 conspicuous. It is the most notable index of civilization and of progx'ession. 



There is positively 



BUT ONE SOLUTION OF THE ROAD PROBLEM. 



Competent executive ability must have control of road improvements, and that 

 must not be hampered by unwise local legislation. Except in very few instances, 

 the entire road system of Iron county has been one of malformation from its 

 beginning. The material used has been principally the subsoil most convenient to 

 the builder, irrespective of the fact that it is composed of decayed vegetation, and 

 lacks the qualities most essential to the maintenance of a good road-bed. Another 

 and equally de]dorable feature is the contour of road-beds under the 

 present system and management. The road centres are, almost invariably, beloAv 

 the margins which form their connection with the ditches, thereby preventing the 

 flow of water from roads to ditches— leaving the road-beds almost impassable 

 during the wet seasons, while the ditches are correspondingly dry. 



Along and within the limits of the county road between Iron River and Crystal 

 Falls, there exists a 



SUFFICIENT QUANTITY OF MATERIAL, 



which if properly reduced would furnish a most desirable road-bed. I refer to 

 the rock material. If the authorities who have the matter within their control, 

 would purchase a rock crusher, it could be moved from point to point along the 

 highway and the vast amount of rock material could be reduced to a road dressing 

 \which, when properly applied, would have an effect almost phenomenal. 



The annual expenditures of funds for road repairs would be so reduced that the 



