32 . BULLETIN 393, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
easterly direction. The White Oak Road, about 15 miles of which 
has been improved, opens up the territory lying between the Cox 
Road and the Boydton Plank Road. This road is to be finished 
to the county line on the Nottoway River. 
HOW THE ROADS ARE MAINTAINED. 
The roads have not been systematically maintained, and while 
many sections are in excellent condition, other sections showed signs 
of wear and disintegration at the time of the 1915 inspection. 
The condition of some of the roads before and after improvement 
is shown by the accompanying photographs. (Pls. VII and IX.) 
When the first inspection was made, during the latter part of March, 
1910, the roads were practically impassable. The first year after 
construction the roads were more or less soft, but after the surplus 
clay had been leached out they became fairly hard and firm, even in 
wet weather. 
The county road fund amounted to about $12,000 in 1915, of whic 
one-half is devoted to permanent work and one-half to maintenance: 
Six thousand dollars spread out over the whole mileage of the count: 
amounts to only about $11 per mile for maintenance, which is entirel. 
inadequate. This work is carried on under the general direction o 
the county road board and under the immediate direction of thi 
county superintendent of roads. The maintenance work is done by 
three small gangs of 5 or 6 men each, and a total of 6 mules for the 
three gangs. These gangs are principally engaged in cleaning out 
ditches, dragging, and patch work. 
EFFECT OF ROAD IMPROVEMENT ON LAND VALUES. 
The following table shows the assessed valuation of real and per- 
sonal property and public service corporations for 1905, 1910, and 
1915, exclusive of Petersburg, which is not assessed for improve- 
ments outside of its corporate limits. Property is assessed at about 
one-third of its cash value. According to law it should be assessed 
at its ‘‘fair market value.” 
TABLE 11.—Detail of assessed valuatien 1905, 1910, and 1915. 
Real | Personal | Mineral service Total. 
Year. estate. | property. | lands. corpora- 
BU Ss ete a oe ee a ee See $1, 652, 831 $434, 829 |..-2.-...- $1,091,523 | $3,229,233 
Pe ee se ne see Pn a ee ee 2,071, 249 757,955 | $39,160 | 1,560,220 4, 428, 534 
NOE SE 2 oo. a oti et Soe He es 2, 895, 343 | 1 1,063, 820 |. ..--.---- 2,065, 977 5, 985, 140 
1 Including tangible and intangible personal property and money as assessed under new tax law. 
