Roads . 
291 
There is no doubt, but that in the course of years, earth from 
the perpendicular slopes will fall on to the road ; but nothing is 
then more easily removed, and by degrees the bank will gain a 
slope at which it will stand, and be covered with vegetation. If 
the soil be naturally good, this will happen in three or four years. 
4. The pavement should be laid perfectly level across the 
road, or rather, if at all, inclining a little towards the hill. All the 
stones should be broken to the same size. Stones that will pass 
through a 3 inch ring are of a very good size. But it were better 
that they should be even larger, than that larger stones should be 
laid first, and smaller stones upon them. That they should be all 
equal, is much more essential, than that they should either be veiy 
small or the stratum be very thick. A road of equal stones laid 8 
inches thick, will last longer without requiring repair, than a road 
of two strata of different sizes of a foot thick. And a little reflec- 
tion will convince any one, that it must be so. A shoulder of large 
stones would indeed be very useful ; for it is important to prevent 
the road from spreading ; but a shoulder of earth is probably suffi- 
cient, and admits of an easier passage from the paved to the unpav- 
ed road. 
5. Culverts, or if it must be so , stops (these stops are admira- 
ble contrivances to make a ditch of the summer road) across the 
road, must be made to take off the rain water which falls upon the 
road, and also the wash of the hills below the guard drains. These 
must be placed where the judgment of the superintendant of the 
road may direct, according to circumstances. But, as I said before, 
drains or culverts should generally be used, and always to dis- 
charge the water of the guard drains— and where flat stones abound, 
their expense is very trifling. 
6. The principal part of the U. States’ road being carried upon 
the slopes of mountains, the section of the road I propose would be 
thus. (See plate.) 
But where it is to be carried on an embankment over a valley, 
over ground which does not rise on one side above, and on the 
other fall below it, or over a ridge, then the pavement should be in 
the centre of the road, and the whole road be 40 feet wide at least. 
But in the case of a perfect level across the road, there must be a 
ditch on both sides at the extreme of the 30 feet, for the purpose of 
preventing water from running on to the road, and to carry off the 
drainings of the road itself. The paved part of the road may be 
laid six or eight inches higher than the sides, if the road be level 
longitudinally : otherwise it is not necessary. 
