182 The Farmer's Business Handbook 



may be removed at any time the same as other 

 trees. Unless the highway is made hard by 

 graveling or macadamizing, shade trees often 

 injure the roadway by shading, which hinders 

 evaporation and hence prolongs the period of 

 muddy roads. 



VI. GUIDE -BOARDS 



In New York it is the duty of the highway com- 

 missioner to establish and maintain suitable guide- 

 boards at the four corners of all highways, and 

 a penalty is provided for neglect to do so after 

 written request of five resident taxpayers of the 

 town or twenty resident taxpayers of the county. 



A similar law maintains in most other states, 

 but there appear to be few laws so honored in 

 its breach as this. Commissioners of highways 

 may also place mile-posts upon the highways. 



VII. WEEDS ALONG HIGHWAYS 



In New York and many other states the over- 

 seer of highways is required, by statute, at least 

 twice a year, once before July first and again 

 before the first day of September, to cut all nox- 

 ious weeds along the highway under penalty of a 

 fine of ten dollars for each offense. It is made 

 the duty of the commissioner of highways upon 

 his own motion, or upon complaint of any citizen, 



