4« STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



THE IDEAL HIGHWAY SYSTEM. 



L;V ilOX. JUIIX HA.MILTUX, FAUMEUs' INSTITU'ilC .S1'K( ■lALlS'JV, U. S. DKI'AUTMKNT 



OF AGRICULTUIIE. 



Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : — The ''Ideal Highway System" 

 can have but one purpose, and that is to provide for the construction of 

 ideal highways. In endeavoring to discover the requisites of a system 

 that is to insure the construction of good roads, there is need first of all 

 that Ave should liave a clear conception of what constitutes an ideal high- 

 way. After this has been agreed upon, we will then be in position to 

 take up the points that seem to be necessary in order to secure the kind 

 of road that we wish to construct. 



The ideal highway has four prominent characteristics. The first is 

 that it must be '"dry." It must be dry at all seasons of the year. Many 

 who had charge of the construction of our public highways do not seem 

 to understand the importance of this sim[)le requirement, for it is no 

 uncommon thing to see roads that seem to have been formed for the 

 purpose of holding Avater rather than shedding it, and frequently it 

 occurs that when neighboring springs have dried up and other sources 

 of water supply have failed, there can always be found an abundance in 

 the mud holes that have been formed in the middle of our public roads. 

 An ideal road is never wet. Even in wet weather a properly constructed 

 road will get rid of all the surplus water, and a moderate wind for a 

 few hours will make it dry and comfortable for travel. Whatever means 

 are necessary, therefore, to secure this quality must be used or the road 

 can never be placed in the grade that Ave call, ideal. 



The second characteristic of a good road is that it is ''solid.'' This 

 can be secured in many, instances by proper attention to the first re- 

 quirement that has just been mentioned — proper drainage. A dry road, 

 if it is not sandy, is usually a solid road. In order that the part of the 

 highAvay that is used for travel may be kept in good condition, it has 

 been found in the end to be cheapest and most satisfactory to have the 

 surface made of some material that will Avithstand the abrasion occa- 

 sioned by the feet of horses and the Avheels of Avagons. Stone ballast is 

 the material that commonly is" found to be the cheapest for securing a 

 solid surface. The character of rock to be used for the Avearing surface 

 is largely determined by the cost of transportation. Trap rock it is gen- 

 erally agreed stands at the head of the list of surfacing material. Lime- 

 stone having a considerable admixture of magnesia is perhaps second best. 

 Vitrified brick have been found to be highly satisfactory Avhen properly 

 laid, and the exjiense in localities Avhere trap rock and limestone are 

 difficult to secure, and suitable material for brick can be had nearby, is 

 not much greater than these other kinds of nuiterial. 



Eighty per cent, of the ]mblic roads of the country will accommodate 

 ]»ublic travel very satisfactorily if they have a ballasted surface eight 

 feet Avide, or have provision for a single track. Fifteen per cent, of the 

 roads will be entirely satisfactory Avith a ballasted track twelve feet 

 wide, and the constantly traA'eled roads near cities and large towns where 



