THIRTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL CONVENTION. 251 



One is likely to be discouraged in the first use of the drag 

 because excellent results are not secured at once. Work should 

 be begun early in the spring, and usually one round with the drag 

 is sufficient, but sometimes, if ruts are very deep, several rounds 

 are necessary to fill them. The earth should be worked toward 

 the center of the road, but this process need not be repeated very 

 often after the work is well started; from that time on, it is only 

 necessary to scrape off the bumps and fill horse and wagon 

 tracks. Through the summer, it is usually best to use the drag 

 a few hours after a rain ; the stirring when wet tends to bake the 

 surface and the soil particles run together forming an effective 

 covering. 



The drag may be used from the start in forming the crown 

 of the roadbed, but the blade grader is usually more effective in 

 first work. A little practice will soon enable one to become quite 

 skill f-ul in the use of the drag. The driver must move about on 

 it in order to fill holes, scrape off little knolls, or gradually work 

 the dirt toward the center of the road. It is claimed that one 

 dragging every two or three weeks in summer will keep the sur- 

 face in good condition. Where the drag will cover the road in 

 one round, it takes but little time to do the work. Those who 

 live on dirt roads can well afford to try this piece of apparatus. 



The following description of the use of the drag is quoted 

 from Mr. King, the originator : "As a general rule, haul the drag 

 at an angle of 45 degrees to the center of the road. The action 

 of the drag is controlled by four things : 



1. The Length of the Chain, which is regulated by slipping 

 it backward or forward through the hole in the ditch end of the 

 drag. The length of the chain regulates the hold taken upon the 

 earth. To make the chain longer is equivalent to putting weight 

 on the drag. If your drag is too heavy, shorten the chain. 



2. The Position of the Snatch Hook which attaches the 

 double-tree. To move much earth or to cut small weeds, hitch 

 the hook close to the ditch end of the drag and stand as nearly 

 on the front slab as possible. Drive very slowly when so hitched. 



