Public Highways 291 



The most important part of road dragging is using 

 the road drag promptly and persistently. Drive up 

 one side of the road and back on the other, covering 

 one rut in each case. By riding on the outer or ditch 

 end of the drag the loose dirt picked up near the ditch 

 line will be gently moved along by the drag, filling ruts 

 and holes and leaving the surplus in the center of the 

 road to be travel-packed, thus gradually giving the road 

 oval formation. 



The driver will soon learn that by moving about on 

 the drag a greater or less amount of dirt can be moved, 

 and that it can be dumped as desired. There is a ridge 

 for every rut in the road; the drag cuts down the ridges 

 and fills the ruts, thus preventing water from standing 

 in these holes and soaking into the roadway. Keep the 

 ditches clear, keep the roadway smoothed down with 

 the drag so that the water may move quickly, and any 

 earth road can be made good for travel at all seasons. 





Fig. 187. A split-log drag, properly used, means a smooth serviceable earth 

 road free from ruts, rmid holes and weeds. Also a reduction of mud in 

 wet weather and dust in dry weather, all at small cost. From photo 

 specially furnished by Office of Public Road Investigations, United States 

 Department of Agriculture. 



