THE SUBURBAN HOME 25 



or hold as supply or prices may render advisable. The 

 cost of teaming our products, if the distance be not 

 great, may be reduced to the minimum by taking return 

 loads of stable manure or other supplies back to the farm 

 with little or no loss of time. 



On the other hand land is more expensive in locations 

 near the markets. If one is on a good line of railroad 

 where trains run frequently and freight and express rates 

 are not excessive he can often send heavy produce long 

 distances by rail cheaper than by team. The close com- 

 munication with the markets is, however, lost and he is 

 dependent upon the commission man or the market 

 reports. 



7. Are the Roads Good ? 



Much of success in business and comfort of living in 

 the country depends upon good roads. If we are a con- 

 siderable distance from post-office, stores, schools, 

 churches, etc., good roads will help wonderfully in the 

 travel to and from them. If we must take our produce 

 a long distance to market or to the railroad station, 

 good roads will reduce the wear and tear of wagons, 

 horses, and harness, and consequently the cost of getting 

 it to market. If one is located on a line of state or 

 macadam road he will find it smooth and passable at all 

 seasons of the year, while the ordinary country road is 

 often impassable for heavy loads in the winter or spring. 

 Good roads cannot be made without good road material. 

 If there is only sand or clay with which to build roads 

 they will be poor and only small loads can be drawn over 

 them. Nor can a good road be made upon land satur- 

 ated with water without first unde --drain *.ng the road- 

 bed. Furthermore, the surface should be crowned at 

 least two inches to the foot, and the poorer the material 

 the greater must be this crowning. If roads are hollowed 



