TROTTING TRACKS. 



19: 



by so doing creating small "wash-out" places on the track 

 opposite them. 



Soil and Grades. 



Of course, natural soil, if the right kind, is the best. 

 If, however, the soil is naturally sandy, then the road- 

 bed must be covered with a dressing, about 6 inches deep, 

 of clay or clay-loam, and be as free as possible from 

 pebbles. Therefore, in choosing between two locations, 

 the one with the naturally good soil has many advan- 

 tages ; for the cost of top-dressing a track is a larger 

 item than those not posted would imagine, even though 

 the desired soil be close at hand. Besides, the natural 

 soil wears much better than the artificial article, the lat- 

 ter having to be renewed every few seasons, while the 

 former not only lasts much longer, but when worn out 

 the top can be plowed under and new soil brought to the 

 surface at very slight expense. Between clay, clay loam, 



Detail Fig. 7 (to Fig. 2)— For Surrey ors. Regulation Half-Mile Track 



muck, or any rich soil that packs readily, with the least 

 tendency to "cup," there is little choice. 



The care of a track has much more to do with its speed 

 than is generally supposed. Tracks differ so much in the 

 nature of the soil that to write down rules as to their 



