2 BULLETIN 386, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
For convenient reference the information obtained from the Middle 
Atlantic States of New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania is pub- 
lished in this bulletin, leaving the remaining States to be dealt with 
by groups in subsequent similar publications. These groups have 
been selected according to their administrative organization for 
road purposes and according to other conditions affecting road man- 
agement. 
In order that the statistics may be useful in the highest degree, an 
explanatory text has been prepared for each State. In connection 
with the explanation of these statistical tables, the systems of admin- 
istration, the methods of financing road work, the physical condi- 
tions influencing road improvement, and the progress made in recent 
years in the construction of roads and bridges, are set forth in the 
explanatory chapters. 
WORKING PLAN AND SOURCES OF INFORMATION. 
The method of procedure followed in obtaining the information 
contained in this bulletin was as follows: 
A series of card-inquiry forms, designated A, B, C, and D, cover- 
ing respectively mileage, taxation and revenues, administrative 
organization, and bond issues, was prepared and submitted to the 
various State highway departments for suggestion and approval. 
After changes were made to meet conditions found to be peculiar to the 
individual States, supplies of the card forms, with necessary sta- 
tionery, were sent to each State collaborator, and correspondence 
was then conducted under Government frank with the respective 
county and township officials by the collaborators. In many in- 
stances it was impossible for the collaborators to obtain replies from 
all local officials, and accordingly letters and forms were sent directly 
from this office to such local officials. During the course of the 
investigation it was found necessary to enlist the aid of local and 
State road associations, chambers of commerce, automobile clubs, 
postmasters, and private individuals in order to obtain adequate 
information. On account of the absence of detailed records in 
many of the towns and counties, extreme accuracy is impossible, 
and because of the large amount of correspondence necessary to 
conduct the investigation, considerable delay in the issuance of the 
bulletins has been unavoidable. The data on mileage and revenues 
should therefore be considered as approximate only. 
A summary sheet for each of the forms A, B, C, and D was prepared 
for each State at the outset of the investigation, and as the card 
forms were received from local officials or from the State collabora- 
tors, the information was entered on the summary sheets under appro- 
priate headings. These summaries, when completed, were forwarded 
