502 FARM AND SCHOOL PROBLEMS. 



VALUE OF RIGHTS OF WAY ON ALL PUBLIC ROADS IN THE UNITED 



STATES. 



On a basis of 40 ft. width, there are 10,668,276 acres of 

 rights of way included in the public roads of the United States. 



Based on the* average value of farm lands in the various 

 states, the total value of these rights of way would amount to 

 $345,652,215.00. 



Cost of Improved Roads $561,604,806 00 



Value of Rights-of-Way 345,652,215 00 



Total $907,257,021 00 



PROBLEMS. 



1. The average cost of sand-clay roads for the 17 states which 

 reported to the government was $72S' per mile ; the average width of sur- 

 face treated was 17 feet; the average depth of material was 9 inches; 

 what was the cost per cubic yard? 



2. The average cost of gravel roads for the 31 states reporting, 

 is $2,047 per mile. If there were 102,870 miles of gravel roads in 1909, 

 what was the total cost of the gravel roads in the United Staes? 



3. If the gravel roads were on an average 13 feet wide, 7 inches 

 deep, what was the number of cubic yards per mile? Cost per cu. yd.? 



4. The average cost of macadam roads for 34 states as reported 

 was $4,989 per mile. Macadam surface is 13 feet wide and an average 

 depth of 6 inches. What was the cost per cubic yard? 



5. Information relative to all expenditures on public roads in the 

 United States in 1911, shows that the amount was approximately $142,- 

 000,000. What per cent is this of our accredited wealth as a nation which 

 has been estimated at 150,000,000,000 dollars? 



The Public Highway. 







The public highway stands perhaps second only to the rail- 

 way as one of the most important factors in determining the 

 course of civilization and industrial progress in the United States. 



The good road problem is one of the most agitated subjects 

 before the public because upon the solution of this problem de- 

 pends the welfare, comforts, and many of the conveniences of a 

 great and progressive country. 



