'5 H LAN D 'TK ANSrOKT. 



purpose are nearly always available alongside the road, and with 

 them dry masonry retaining-walls may be constructed ; only 

 exceptionally should wood, which is so perishable, be used for 

 this purpose. 



Earth-roads may be considerably improved if thoy pass over 

 clay or limestone, by strewing the cart-track with small broken 

 stones, sand or gravel, or by putting on a layer of clay if the soil 

 is too loose. Whenever roads are much used this must be done 

 if they are to be at all permanent. 



If, instead of merely spreading stones on the surface, the 

 cart-track is covered to a depth of 8 to 12 inches with broken 

 stones which are well rammed down, the road is said to be 

 macadamised. 



In consti'ucting forest-roads the greatest attention must be 

 paid to drainage, and this is of the highest importance in plains 

 and on peaty soil. In hill-roads, drainage is generally secured 

 by their sloping nature, especially on sunny aspects. In order 

 to drain roads on north and east aspects and on level ground, 

 side-drains must always be kept open, and the surface of the road 

 suitably curved. The road must also be raised above the 

 ordinary ground-level, and well aerated by keeping it free from 

 over-hanging trees [although it is well-known that road-side 

 avenues are highly efficient drainers when the trees are not too 

 near the cart-track and are properly pruned. — Tr.] Where 

 sufficient fall cannot be given to the side-drains, and stone is not 

 available, as in depressions on the plains, in alder-woods, &c., 

 every means should be taken for raising the level of the road, 

 and the ditches kept at some distance from it so that the water 

 in them may not permeate into the road and make it soft. 



The draught of air is increased by keeping the road straight, 

 clearing broad road-sidings through the forest and cutting-away 

 all overhangmg trees. 



Macadamised roads have the great advantage over paved roads, 

 especially when gravel and small stones are at hand, of being not 

 only cheaper but actually easier for traffic than the latter, exce]>t 

 when very carefully constructed. 



(d) Paved Roads. — Paved roads are distinguisbed from ordinary 

 roads by their greater width, and the greater attention paid to 

 the gradient, but especially by the care with which they are 



