156 AGRICULTURE. 



a proper grade; that is, a roadbed twenty-six feet wide 

 should be from thirteen to twenty inches higher at the 

 center than at the side. 



Quality of Gravel. — The gravel should preferably be 

 sharp, clean, and of uniform size. Pit gravel usually con- 

 tains too much earthy matter, and where the latter is in 

 excess, the gravel, as a road-making material, is useless. 

 Lake gravel is apt to be rounded, water-worn, and lacking 

 in the necessary earthy matter to make a solid and compact 

 surface, but is generally a better road material than pit 

 gravel. A coating of pit gravel with a surfacing of creek 

 gravel is a good combination. All large stones should be 

 removed, as they will work to the surface, and will then 

 roll loosely or form rough protuberances. 



Placing the Gravel. — The gravel should be spread evenly 

 over the surface of the sub-grade to a depth of six or eight 

 inches, and to the required width, then rolled with a heavy 

 roller. Rolling should be performed in showery weather, 

 as it is impossible to consolidate dry earth or gravel. The 

 heavier the roller the better will be the results, but if a 

 heavy roller cannot be obtained, a light roller is much bet- 

 ter than none. The roller should be passed over the sur- 

 face until the gravel or earth is so compact as not to be 

 displaced and rutted by the wheels of a wagon passing 

 over it with an ordinary load. The surface must be main- 

 tained smooth and hard, to shed water and resist wear. 

 Every municipality should have a roller, but whether one 

 can be obtained or not the gravel should not be left in a 

 heap just as it falls from the wagon. Spread it evenly. 



Repairs. — Gravel roads already constructed will need re- 

 pair. By the use of road machinery, scrape the surface 

 and cut off the corners, which will have formed at the foot of 

 the grade by the washing down of dusty material from the 

 crown of the road. Loosen the surface, particularly that 

 part of the traveled portion and where the road is rutted, 

 with picks, or, if possible, with road machinery ; then apply 

 a coating of gravel, and roll thoroughly. It is of more im- 

 portance, however, to see that the drains are not obstructed 

 in their course and that their outlets are free and open.* 



* See Farmers' Bulletin, No. Q5, "Good Roads for Farmers," Washing- 

 ton, 1899. 



