RESUME 69 



2. The examination of the 5% miles of road referred to 

 above showed at least fifty places where rock excavation is 

 necessary, either to open up the side ditches so as to keep the 

 water out of the traveled way or for the improvement of grade. 

 No account was taken of the numerous cases where earth could 

 be more cheaply drawn and thus save ledge excavation. This 

 highway is about an average of the better class of country 

 roads in the hill towns of New Hampshire. 



RESUME 



As a result of both experiment and investigation it would 

 then seem legitimate to draw the following conclusions : 



1. There is need of a large amount of rock-work upon the 

 average country road. 



2. The steam drill is absolutely essential for the economical 

 handling of considerable rock masses, and is capable of doing 

 exceedingly economical work, in portable form, for small 

 amounts of work in a place. 



3. The ownership of the necessary plant, especially with 

 boiler and forge omitted, is within the means of a large num- 

 ber of towns. 



4. A good opportunity for starting such an innovation as 

 above outlined may be found frequently in connection with the 

 carrying out of some single large improvement involving rock 

 excavation. In such case the total expense of plant may be 

 saved the first season. 



5. The obvious objections are connected with the lack ot 

 permanent organization of the department of roads and the 

 frequent changes of management in our country towns. This 

 is illustrated by the fact that probably two thirds of all the road 

 machines in the state winter in the open air. 



6. On the other hand, a steam drill is not bulky and would 

 be left usually in the care of the person who had learned to run 

 it. In that case it would receive all necessary attention. 



7. A steam drill is simple in construction ; is made to stand 

 banging, and is less liable to get out of order than many arti- 

 cles of modern farm machinery in common use. 



