554 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



us consider one that seems to be the most practicable, and the one 

 adapted in most parts of the country where good road improvements 

 prevail. 



SAMPLE ROADS. 



Let us look for a moment at v^hat may be considered a sampl-e 

 piece of road on a main thoroughfare where traffic is heavy. 



But the plan followed here must be governed according to the lay of 

 the country and modified by the amount of traffic over the road. 



Start by grading to the center to the proper height according to the 

 location and circumstances, and about eighteen feet in width on top, with 

 an easy crown, but look carefully to the drainage facilities, cover the 

 top of the grade with small or crushed stone, the depth to be governed 

 according to the nature of the soil. 



On top of the stone put a covering of coarse gravel to a depth of six 

 or ten inches, according to the amount of stone to cover. 



If gravel or stone either are not convenient, use more of the other. 

 and for rough sections of the country more care must be exercised in the 

 drainage facilities than in the level sections. We now have a first class 

 road that will accommodate the traffic into the large towns and cities, 

 and as proven by the tests of years will prove a permanent and lasting 

 road. 



But for the country districts a single track road will suffice for 

 most all parts, and a track eight or nine feet in width would be all tha: 

 is needed, and to build any wider would be a useless expense unless yon 

 make a double track. 



Now the question of material comes to the front. As far as I have 

 observed and been informed, stone can be obtained in a great many locali- 

 ties that is easy of access, and at no great distance from any part of the 

 country. Gravel can also be obtained in great quantities in most all the 

 townships. While our county possesses a stone crusher, a large amount 

 of stone used would not need to be crushed. 

 Next comes the tax. 



AS TO TAX. 



Those living in the more isolated districts will say we do not need 

 improved roads as bad as our neighbors do, and we do not want the ex- 

 pense. Let us consider that point one moment. They live farther away 

 from the markets and have to travel out of their locality into their neigh- 

 bors', thereby passing over their roads to get to market, many more 

 times than their neighbors travel over their roads. Let there be a uni- 

 form tax for all townships in the county, and paid into a general fund, 

 thereby giving each one an equal amount of work to be done each year 

 and paid out of this fund, thereby giving each one an equal amount of 

 work according to the tax paid. Let us estimate the time it would take 

 to improve all the main roads. An average township, we will say, has 

 sixty-five miles of road and thirty of these are the. main traveled roads. 

 Let each township build two miles of road each year, and in fifteen years 

 all the main roads will be in a condition to last for years to come. 



