92 CONFERENCE OF GOVERNORS. 



to the roadsides. It has been found that all young trees taken 

 from their home are much benefited by transplanting into con- 

 genial surroundings before they are finally placed. For this reason 

 the nursery of which I have spoken has been equipped mth all 

 things needed to supply the best conditions of soil, water and care. 



The roadsides, I believe, should be a matter for thought and 

 attention by those in authority. This particular feature in for- 

 eign roads, so often spoken of by travellers, is manifestly important, 

 or it would not be commented upon so generally and approved so 

 unanimously. 



It is my belief that, notwithstanding the destructive efEect of 

 high-speed motor vehicles, the macadam road, as now built, will 

 be continued, with modifications which different road builders 

 adopt under different conditions, such as the use of only stones of 

 the largest size usually used in macadam work, commonly called 

 No. 1 stone, with a sand binder, filling the voids completely during 

 the process of roUing, where traffic is heavy; and the use of bitu- 

 minous materials in the upper stratum of the roadway surfaeiag 

 to act as a binder to hold the stones in place. 



The Bfject of High-speed Automobiles on the Highways. 



Since the advent of automobiles, and particularly those capable 

 of being operated at high speeds, it has become evident that $100 

 a mile a year is wholly inadequate for the maintenance of macadam 

 roads, even if they be only of the width of the Massachusetts State 

 highways; and that in order to keep such stone roads in perfectly 

 good condition at least $300 a mile a year should be provided. 



In Europe, where the cost of labor is not over one-half what it 

 is here, and where the length of a working day is greater, it is 

 estimated that on an average $300 a mile is necessary to keep the 

 roads in the excellent condition in which they now are; although 

 a great deal of the work which is done there, in cutting grass, 

 cleaning gutters and in that sort of elaborate care which is used 

 on all the governmental roads abroad, would be an unwarrantable 

 expense here. 



Figures in the possession of the Massachusetts Highway Com- 

 mission show that about 53 per cent, of the destruction of State 

 highways is due to automobiles. In seven counties near London, 

 Eng., the percentage of increased cost of maintenance due to auto- 

 mobiles has been recently reported to be from 22 to 77 per cent., 

 and this condition is probably more or less the same throughout 

 England. 



