220 THE BUSINESS OF FAEMING 



market, it constitutes a slow process of transporta- 

 tion. Therefore to make this department of busi- 

 ness of farming bear its proportion of reduced 

 cost of farm operations, it is necessary to have 

 the best and most modern make of wagon, which 

 has large loading capacity, and to have the quick 

 stepping draught horses, capable of pulling the 

 heaviest load. But even this would avail nothing 

 if the farmer does not have the best improved 

 highway leading from his farm to the market, and 

 the highway so improved that it is capable of bear- 

 ing heavy loads at all seasons of the year. For 

 what does even the improved highway profit the 

 farmer if he cannot haul the heavy load over it in 

 the soft seasons of the year when the unimproved 

 roads are impassable and the markets the best? 



In most of our states the system of road build- 

 ing is fairly good, but the system of road mainte- 

 nance is a shame and disgrace to our civilization, 

 and causes the loss of millions of dollars to our 

 farmers in the way of hindrance to getting the ad- 

 vantage of the best market, wear and tear of 

 vehicle, ill spent money for road repairs and in- 

 ability to haul loads of full capacity. 



If the farmer living remote, or even close to 

 market, has the outfit to haul the maximum load, 

 and the highway upon which it can be easily 

 hauled, he saves much valuable time and prevents- 

 much wear and tear of his wagons and horses, 

 and conserves the strength and life of his horses, 

 and all these count in keeping down the expense 

 of farm operations. 



If our roads were built right and were main- 

 tained right, a vast saving would result which 



