So STUDY OF ROAD MAINTENANCE 



the roads of the town were distinctly improved as the result of 

 the year's work. 



C kept his accounts in a model manner. A pocket note- 

 hook showed at a glance, at any time, just what work had been 

 done, with all amounts due on the same. It would be well 

 if there were more such clear accounts of our public business 

 in existence. 



A and B kept their accounts well in hand, and knew — 

 largely by memory — about what their outstanding bills were 

 from time to time. They had, however, the usual horror of 

 all book accounts outside of a single casli statement stating 

 what had been paid out. Where business has to be done 

 upon a credit basis, as is the case usually in road construction 

 for at least six months of the year, attention to outstanding ac- 

 counts is imperative. It should be the business of some one to 

 keep a record of all work done and every article bought, and 

 report the same to headquarters systematically, not depending 

 upon bills brought in after months have elapsed since service 

 was rendered. 



As a result of the special study of the roads of Durham, and 

 of other roads for many years, the writer desires to add a few 

 thoughts on each of several subjects. 



ROAD SURFACING 



Proximity to almost any kind of a gravel bank seems to be 

 the most frequent controling element in deciding what material 

 shall be used for surfacing. This gravel may be good, bad. or 

 indifferent for its purpose, and the road follows suit, but the 

 gravel is used all the same. While it is true that very excel- 

 lent results may be attained by a proper admixture of even 

 pure sand with a heavy clay soil, it does not follow that the 

 sand alone would make a good surfacing material. I find a 

 quite general disposition to use a gravel with too much sand in 

 its composition. With heavy soils, at certain seasons, it pro- 

 duces fair results, but usually before it can become properly 

 incorporated it is washed to the bottom of the hill or into the 

 side ditches. Surfacing material is too costly to throw away 

 in this manner. In all cases, the coarser material is more 



