ROADS. 187 



CHAPTER XXXIX. 



ROADS. 



" A good road is one that is good in bad weather." 



EARLY ROADS. The Indians made their journeys by canoe 

 routes and by trails. The former followed the winding streams 

 and lakes, shortened in places by portages or "carries." The 

 latter were narrow footpaths that wound in and out, up and 

 down, following the easiest natural route. There was little or 

 no attempt at making or improving the road or path. Large 

 stones and fallen trees were avoided, not removed, and a good 

 surface to the path was got only by long use, not by any 

 attempt at direct improvement. The condition of the roads 

 is a fair test of civilization the savages do not make roads. 



When the settlers first came into the forest to make their 

 homes, the first thing required was a road by which to get in to 

 and on to the lot. This road was made as quickly and as 

 cheaply as possible. The trees were cleared away, making the 

 " road allowance," some of the stumps were removed, and the 

 road was thus used in its first stage. It was found, however, 

 that such a road was impassable and useless in the spring and 

 fall or during heavy rains, it needed drainage. Then followed 

 the next improvement, namely, the cutting of a ditch on each 

 side, the dirt from which was thrown upon the road, thereby 

 raising the centre a little above the sides. This second stage 

 was a great improvement ; the water drained off into the 

 side ditches, and the roadway was kept fairly dry. The wheels 

 of carts and the feet of horses and of oxen do not cut into the 

 dry earth so easily as into the mud. Such a road as this we 

 call a dirt or earth road. Many are still found, and they are 



