Farm Itoad*. 147 



-X9 ,".': ojfv/ j: 



SKCT. XL Farm Roads. 



THE profitable occupation of a farm, is essentially pro- 

 moted, by having the private roads through it, judiciously 

 planned, well formed at first, and afterwards kept in proper 

 repair. Attention to these particulars is often neglected, 

 in consequence of which both the landlord and tenant sus- 

 tain much injury. These private roads, like other substan- 

 tial improvements, ought to be made at the expense of the 

 landlord ; but if he is unable to advance the money, the 

 tenant ought to be encouraged to make the necessary exer- 

 tions, by a premium for every yard he properly executes, 

 or security given him, that he shall be indemnified, to a cer- 

 tain extent, at the termination of his lease. 



Where the farm is regularly divided into large inclosures, 

 it is seldom difficult to obtain the advantages of convenient 

 roads, with easy access from the farm-offices, to each field ; 

 nor would the making of good roads in any case be difficult, 

 provided a regular plan were adopted for that purpose; ma- 

 terials may be collected, and the stones broken by the farm- 

 servants, at times, when, from the state of the ground, other 

 operations could not be well executed ; and if a rule were 

 laid down, to make a certain quantity of road, from 50 to 

 500 yards, every year, according to the size of the occupa- 

 tion, the roads, even on a large farm, would thus be pro- 

 gressively gone over, and its value would be materially aug- 

 mented. 



It is particularly necessary, to make a good piece of road 

 at the gate of every inclosure, that being the spot which is 

 most frequently in use. Without this precaution, it often be- 

 comes a mire, where corn is thrown down and spoiled in 

 harvest ; or if it is attempted to avoid the mire, the gate- 

 posts and neighbouring fence are often damaged ( 368 ). 



In order to prevent accidents, it is necessary to have the 

 gates wide, and whatever may be the sort of fence, to round 

 the corners of the fields, instead of having them square. By 

 this plan, owing to the facility of turning, many accidents, 

 injurious both to the carts, and to the cattle, may be pre- 

 vented. 



The most effectual means, by which either public or pri- 

 vate roads can be kept in good repair, is, by the use of broad 

 cylindrical wheels, which are as well calculated for farming, 



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