374 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



lines across the road. If even tbe frailest of drain tile were buried only 

 eighteen inches under the surface, I think there would be no danger of its 

 being broken by heavy wheels. 



Mr. Stevens. — On the steep hills in Vermont experience has led to the 

 same system of thorough draining recommended by the Chairman. The 

 track is excavated to the depth of three feet or more, loose stones are 

 thrown into the bottom, and these are covered with gravel. 



After narrating the manner and date of the construction of many roads, 

 it was conceded that the following were the main circumstances in build- 

 ing and maintaining good roads: 



First. That the road-bed be underdrained at least two feet deep or more. 



Second. That at least sixteen inches deep of stones, not over five or six 

 inches in their largest diameter, be laid in first, and then about six or 

 eight inches deep of stones, broken to fall through a two and a half inch 

 ring, be laid over the bottom sixteen inches deep, and that this finer broken 

 stone be overlaid with gravel between the fineness of chestnuts and pears. 

 But where the soil is very silicious or basaltic, there it is better for the 

 surface to have a little coating of limestone, or oyster shells, or clay. 



Third. After the road has been constructed it should always be kept 

 well underdrained, and a very gradual drainable surface secured. 



But where a cheap road must be built in a very short time, Mr. Veeder 

 said a plank road would do very well for a short period, if there was travel 

 enough to wear it out before it rotted out. 



Across the swamps of muck, etc., a little browse, then clay or lime, and 

 finally a round, gravelly surface may be easiest maintained, if it is well 

 drained on each side of the road. 



On sandy roads, clay or lime will soon make a good surface for dry 

 weather. 



Mr. Dibben. — Mr. Ch'airman, before we adjourn we must select a subject 

 for the next evening. 



Prof. Seely. — Mr. Chairman, the use of petroleum for fuel is occupying 

 a good deal of attention at the present time, and in connection with this T 

 should like to see discussed here the employment of compressed air in 

 furnaces. Perhaps the whole idea may be embraced in the phrase, "Fuel 

 in the Arts," and I move that that be the subject for the next meeting. 



This motion was carried, and the Association adjourned. 



Enos Stevens, Secretary pro tern. 



American Institute Polytechnic Association, \ 

 September 25, 1862. j 

 Dr. R. P. Stevens in the chair. 



Fuel in the Arts. 



Prof. Seely. — The cost of power, of iron, and of many of our most im- 

 portant materials is almost exactly measured and controlled by the cost of 

 fuel. Indeed, the cost of fuel is an element in the cost of everything we 



