FARM ROADS. 67 



clay formations clay ballast is largely used ; it makes an 

 excellent foundation, and even when used exclusively it 

 forms a serviceable road for light traffic. 



The duration of any material will be short where it is 

 constantly saturated with moisture. Under such circum- 

 stances severe frosts will ultimately disintegrate the hardest 

 materials. The average rainfall varies widely throughout 

 the different districts of England ; on the western and 

 north-western the minimum is 30 inches, with a maximum 

 of 140 inches, whilst on the eastern side the minimum is 

 20 and the maximum 33 inches. It is obvious that the 

 cost of maintenance will vary materially in such very 

 different circumstances of rainfall. 



Specification. The construction of new roads is fre- 

 quently let to a contractor at a fixed price per chain, he 

 finding labour, plant, and materials. Before a satisfactory 

 contract can be arranged, plans and sections of culverts or 

 bridges and a complete specification must be furnished. 

 This requires a certain amount of engineering skill and a 

 good practical knowledge of the work ; and this a capable 

 agent should be well able to bring to bear on the task. On 

 large estates where a large body of men are constantly em- 

 ployed, with all the necessary plant required for the work of 

 an estate, the work can be done not only better but at less 

 cost than when let to a contractor, whose object is to 

 complete the work expeditiously at the least possible 

 cost to himself, so long as it will pass the inspector, or 

 the agent whom the landlord employs. In no case should 

 efficiency be sacrificed to parsimony ; substantial and 

 efficient construction is the great guarantee of future 

 economy in the cost of maintenance. 



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