30 



Farmers' Bulletin 1087. 



it may take extra care and expense to keep the road surface in con- 

 dition for the dual purpose of a walk and drive. If it should not' 

 be practicable to keep the road in good condition for foot traffic, 

 of course a separate footway would need to be developed, but it 

 should be omitted unless really necessary. Both from the stand- 

 point of appearance and of expense of upkeep the fewest possible 

 drives and walks should be provided. A little-used walk or drive 

 is usually as troublesome and as expensive to keep up as a much- 

 used one, as it will grow full of weeds and will wash whether used 

 or not. 



The surfacing will depend on local conditions. As a rule, farm 

 roads will be made of the natural soil and should be well crowned 

 and provided with good gutters with liberal outlets. In most parts 



FIG. 33. A well-hidden approach and service road. See figure 32 for another view 



of the same road. 



of the United States little-used roads and many paths, even though 

 much used, can be covered with turf and mowed, like the lawn. If 

 the road is used sufficiently to cause ruts, soil can be brought to 

 fill them. Where a more resistant surface is needed for a short 

 time each season, stones 2 inches in size or larger may be mixed 

 with good soil and the road formed of that material. Grass will 

 grow in the soil and the stones will not permit a cutting up of 

 the roadbed or the permanent destruction of the grass. The grass 

 tops may be worn off by the traffic, but the roots will push out 

 again after the wear ceases. Turf gutters (fig. 34) may be found 

 satisfactory for road and walk drainage in all sections where there 

 is sufficient moisture to maintain turf growth. To be successful, no 

 ridge or shoulder should be permitted between the turf and the 



