ROADS IX GERMAN FORESTS. 



219 



sets of pairs of short (2 to 5 yard) rails (12 to 10 pounds per yard) attached to from two to four 

 cross-ties, wood or metal, the light sets weighing 7f> to 100 pouuds (heavy sets up to K5G pounds), 

 so that oue workman can readily carry them; the ready connection of sets, one hooking at once 

 into the other without separate mechanism, forming a sufficiently satisfactory joint; the simple 

 "climbing switch," which is applied on top of the track, permitting ready transfer from side track 

 to main track and ready relocation. These roads can be readily laid down without much or any 

 substructure and readily relocated. The cost is shown in the following statement: 



For a fully equipped road. 21 tn 28 inches width, (i miles length, for rails and ties $9,000 



For earth work, if any. and laving 50 to 500 



For rolling stock and apparatus 2, 500 



12,000 

 Or $2,000 per mile at the highest. 



Upon a basis of 800,000 cubic feet (about 7,000,000 feet B. M.) to be transported, it is calculated 

 that the cost of transportation by railroad, stone road, and dirt road will be about as 1:2:0, the 

 cost on the first being about 3 cents per 1,000 feet B. M. per mile as against 18 cents on dirt roads. 



Comparing the cost of construction it is stated that the ratio between corduroy, gravel road 

 (13 feet wide), macadam, and movable track is as 1 : 1.25 : 2.35 : 1.17, placing the last among the 

 cheapest. 



A most instructive exhibit at the World's Fair, in many ways, especially at the present time, 

 since the movement for better roads in this country has begun, was the model of the city forest of 

 (ioslar, a small town (13,300 inhabitants) in the Harz Mountains, whose citi/.ens, from this piece 

 of property, a spruce forest of 7,308 acres extent, derive not only their pure drinking water, 

 healthful enjoyment in hunting, and refreshing coolness in summer, but also a net income, 

 amounting in round numbers to $25,000 ($3.40 per acre), toward payment of city taxes. This 

 is the result of careful management, which permits an annual cut of 350,000 cubic feet of wood. 

 Of this only 50,000 cubic feet goes into firewood, and 40 per cent, or 160,000 cubic feet, is saw 

 timber, which sells at 10 to 10 cents per cubic foot; while smaller dimensions, poles, etc., sell all 

 the way down to below 4 cents, and firewood at $1.60 for brush to $4.30 for split or round wood 

 per cord. Until 1875 the district was without proper roads. By an effort of the competent 

 manager the city fathers were persuaded to locate and build a rational system of roads on which 

 altogether, until 1891, there was spent for building and maintenance about $25,000. The greatest 

 interest attaches to the statistics carefully gathered by the district manager, Mr. Reuss, since it 

 is always difficult to determine the money value of such an expenditure in dollars and cents. 



The proper location of the roads is the most important feature. The roads are ranked 

 according to their importance; the width and manner of finish depend on their rank. Main roads 

 are macadamized ; roads of third rank, which are used for occasional hauling of wood, are dirt roads. 



These statistics were exhibited in a neat table, as follows: 



STATISTICS OF ROAD SYSTEM IN FOREST DISTRICT OF CITY OF OOSLAIl (HARZ MOUNTAINS, GERMANY). 



Properly located, graded, and built roads reduce cost of logging and hauling, and advance the price for wood. 

 Area, 7,308 aores spruce forest; annual cut, 350,000 cubic feet; road building begun in 1875; total mileage of 

 improved roads in 1891, 141 miles; cost of road system and maintenance until 1891, $25,000. 



Cost of logging reduced by good logging roads. 

 [Daily wages remaining constant at 60 cents.) 



