ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE 373 



Earth Roads. But as those two million miles of unim- 

 proved roads, before mentioned, are earth roads, and as they 

 mostly need improvement, it will be best to consider what 

 may be done with them, and how it may be done well and at 

 a reasonable cost. 



In some sections the roads need to be straightened to cut 

 out dangerous curves or to shorten them. In many instances 

 steep grades need to be remedied before the road is made 

 permanent. 



Construction of Roads. The top of the road, or con- 

 tour, should be slightly curved, to give good surface drain- 

 age, as shown in figure 225. At every point in the road this 

 should be the same, as unevenness makes the road rough and 

 may allow water to stand on it. A good road grader, pulled 

 by several horses or a tractor, and followed by a heavy road 



FIQ. 225. Showing proper curvature of finished roadway so as to insure good 



drainage. 



roller, will put a road into such good shape that it can easily 

 be cared for and kept in the best condition with the road drag. 

 Proper Grade. To make hauling of heavy loads the 

 easiest possible, the grade should not be more than six feet 

 in each hundred. Where the grade is steeper than this an 

 effort should be made to equalize the differences by grading 

 down the hills and filling in the lower places with the earth 

 so obtained. 



Maintenance. The roads, like the vehicles which pass 

 over them, require constant care and maintenance to keep 

 them in the best condition. One of the best methods to 

 accomplish this is the use of the road drag. Either a split- 

 log drag (Fig. 226) or a drag similarly constructed of plank, 

 is very effective in keeping a hard, smooth surface on earth 

 roads. The road drag should be used after each heavy rain 

 as soon as the soil ceases to be sticky. This will eliminate 



