298 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



no defects are concealed from his scrutiny ; he knows how to 

 correct his faults, how to feed, and groom him, so as to fit him 

 for service, and he can guide and manage him in a manner to 

 make him most useful. All this is a mystery to the foot-soldier 

 who can see none of the beauties, or faults of the horse ; lie 

 knows nothing of his qualities, and can hardly distinguish one 

 animal from another. 



None but a farmer will undertake to breed stock, or grow 

 crops ; a blacksmith does not attempt to make glass ware ; then 

 why should an ignorant day laborer, as often happens, be employed 

 to make and repair roads ? 



Impeovement and Repair op Roads. 



It has not been thought necessary to state in detail the process 

 of doing the work, or to describe minutely the materials to be 

 used, to do which would require a volume, as there are many ex- 

 cellent treatises upon road-making, which are easily accessible to 

 those who wish to pursue the subject. The object here is, as 

 clearly as possible, in a brief space and limited time, to point out 

 the public needs in regard to roads, and to suggest the best 

 means of supplying them. 



In pursuance of this purpose, we will now, at the risk of some 

 repetition, proceed to state, in a general way, what is required 

 for the improvement of the present roads, and to consider what 

 ought to be done to maintain them in first-rate working con- 

 dition. 



Many of the old roads upon which reduction in grades, or 

 changes in direction are not needed, may be easily improved. 

 With some trimming of the sides, shaping, and evening of the 

 surface, being solidly compacted by years of travel, the beds of 

 these roads will serve as a good foundation for covering with 

 either of the kinds of materials mentioned. If gravel is used it 

 must be carefully selected, and a coating of the material as it 

 comes from the pit, only removing the larger stones, should be 

 spread evenly to the depth of three or four inches over the 

 whole surface. It should then be raked smoothly, and solidly 

 compressed by a roller drawn by two horses. 



Over the first layer after it has been sufficiently hardened, a 

 second one two and one-half inches in depth, consisting of 

 screened gravel, is to be put on and treated in the same m.anuer, 



