308 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



range them, and to gather facts and compare them, so as to fur- 

 nish information, in a systematic form, upon which to base 

 future legislation, and in such other ways, as may be found use- 

 ful, to promote the object of improving the character of the 

 roads throughout the State. 



Reliable information upon nearly every particular in regard 

 to the roads is needed. It would be useful to know the number 

 of miles of roads there are in each town in the State, the cost 

 per mile for keeping them in repairs, and how made, what ma- 

 terials are used, the condition of the roads respectively, &c. 



It would be well, too, to know, in this connection, what, in 

 the several parts of the State, is considered a load for a horse, 

 and. what is the average rate of speed, with fair driving, for 

 light carriages. 



There occur other useful inquiries which might be made, 

 such as : what number of surveyors are usually chosen ? whether 

 steam-crushers or rollers are used ? what damages, if any, the 

 town has suffered from defects in roads and bridges ? &c. 



Intelligent answers to these and like queries, which the com- 

 mission in question might be authorized to obtain, would natu- 

 rally help the judgment in deciding what legislation is necessary. 



Good Workmen and Neatness. 



A reason not before mentioned why the system here advocated 

 should be substituted for the present one, is that under it the 

 laborers would be selected for their intelligence or aptitude, and 

 those proving superior workmen would be retained permanently 

 in the service ; they would soon become expert in their duties, 

 and do their work with celerity and neatness. The performance 

 of a good workman will have a neat and finished appearance ; 

 or as the phrase is, a workmanlike look. 



There is no excuse but stolid indifference, for the slovenly, 

 and unsightly appearance of the borders of many of our roads. 

 All rubbish, dead leaves, and loose stones should be removed 

 from thence, and not allowed sensibly to accumulate. This duty 

 should be strictly required, so that the track-way should be kept 

 in order. The waste matter from the surface of the road and 

 the gutters is valuable for manure, and if swept into heaps, 

 would be carried away gladly for its worth by people living near, 

 but in no case should it be thrown out upon the sides. 



