ROADS 145 



mail route where the roads are not maintained at a certain 

 standard. 



Value of Farms. It is often stated that good roads tend 

 to increase the value of farms; and some instances are referred 

 to where, upon the completion of a good road past a farm, its 

 selling value was at once materially increased. No doubt 

 this can be considered the measure of the value of the bene- 

 fits which have been discussed. 



Requisites of a Good Road. A good road is one over 

 which travel may take place with ease and comfort, and one 

 over which freight or products may be hauled at a low cost. 

 Furthermore, a good road must not be prohibitive in cost, 

 and must require a minimum of attention for its maintenance. 

 The following are some of the more important features which 

 should be considered : 



Smoothness. No road can be considered a good road 

 unless it presents a smooth surface over which vehicles may 

 travel without jar or vibration. Smoothness is also essential 

 to the moving of loads with the least effort. 



Rigidity. When a loaded vehicle rests upon a road sur- 

 face, the wheels sink into the surface more or less. If the 

 road surface is soft, the wheels will sink in deeply, and the 

 vehicle, as it is drawn forward, will be compelled to roll 

 against an incline. The amount of resistance which the load 

 furnishes varies with the depth that the wheels cut into 

 the surface. Thus, the road which will most prevent the 

 wheels from cutting in will furnish the least resistance. 

 1 When a loaded vehicle is moved up an incline, it is noticed 

 that the resistance is increased proportionately to the grade. 

 Thus if a load of 1000 pounds be moved up a 10 per cent 

 grade, an extra force equal to 10 per cent of the load will be 

 required to overcome the resistance due to the grade. It is 



