542 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



idea apparently originated in Missouri, and we notice that our Missouri 

 county papers are dropping into poetry, a sure sign that the farmer is taking 

 hold of it. For example, \.he Paw Paw Bazoo , under the head of "Drag, 

 Brother, Drag," has the following. 



If your road is soft or rough, 



Drag, brother, drag; 

 Once or twice will be enough, 



Drag, brother, drag; 

 Wheels won't sink into a rut. 

 Every time you strike a cut, 

 Teams won't worry if you'll but 



Drag, brother, drag. 



'T won't take long to fix your road. 



Drag, brother, drag; 

 If you'd pull a bigger load. 



Drag, brother, drag; 

 It means dollars in the end, 

 Saved on teams and wagons, friends. 

 So to this your best ear lend— 



Drag, brother, drag. 



The Republican* Press , of Butler, Missouri, takes up the strain as fol- 

 lows: 



And ' 'if at first you don't succeed, " 



Drag, brother, drag; 

 And once or twice don't fill the need, 



Drag, brother, drag; 

 When a shower of rain has passed. 

 And the sun shines out at last, 

 While the roads are drying fast, 



Drag, brother, drag. 



Every time you drag the road. 



Drag, brother, drag; 

 The lighter to your team the load, 



Drag, brother, drag; 

 It will pay you ever time, 

 Just to see your horses smile. 

 As they quickly trot a mile. 



Drag, brother, drag. 



And ' 'Gabe" will come along and see, 



Drag, brother, drag; 

 Just how a good road ought to be. 



Drag, brother, drag; 

 When he gets home he'll take his pen. 

 And write you up the best of men, 

 And you'll be mighty famous then (?) 



Drag, brother, drag. 



Next to underdraining and grading, we put dragging in point of impor- 

 tance. It is the rounding out and completing process. After we have 

 drained, graded, and dragged for three or four years we will then be ready 

 for gravel or other hard covering where the material is available. 



