256 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



What has seemed to me a most commendable effort, not 

 only in the study of road making, but which has proved a 

 certain system of road making a success, has been put in 

 operation by the Metropolitan Park Commission in their 

 park roads in the neighborhood of the city of Boston. It 

 is a simple process, where the natural material is favorable, 

 and where the grades have been established in accordance 

 with figures that experience has proved to be wisest. The 

 system consists of crowning the road surface to meet exist- 

 ing conditions, and of not too great a width, and then 

 having it well rolled by a heavy steam roller. I refrain 

 from giving figures, as I believe that in all such cases it is 

 wisest to secure the advice of men trained, and proved able, 

 for such work. 



A good road is one of the best promoters of value and 

 profit that can be created, when well done ; but much money 

 has been wasted in our own and other States by the treating 

 of road surfaces unintelligently. Should a State Bureau for 

 the dissemination of free advice in this direction be estab- 

 lished, it would seem to be of much value to the several 

 towns in the State. 



Respectfully submitted, 



FRANCIS H. APPLETON, 



Chairman. 



