ROAD CLUB. 
B65 
the trenches that are made to carry off the water; it should then 
he laid with small brushwood (such as is cut from the hedges), the 
twigs lving crosswise the road, or with furze, or both mixed, and 
upon that the stones, placing the largest at the bottom, and de¬ 
creasing in size to the gravel, or whatever small materials you have 
for the last finish to the covering. 
N. B. No stone should be used for making or repairing the 
roads, but such as has been exposed to the air for twelve months at 
least; as, when first taken out of the quarry, it is soft and moul¬ 
dering. 
Small stones, which lie in great quantities on some parts 
of Bredon and other hills, are excellent materials, and might be 
collected and laid in heaps at a reasonable expense, for the use of 
the highways. 
It is also most earnestly recommended to the consideration of 
such surveyors, that no road can he well prepared to receive the 
materials, nor preserved in a good state afterwards, unless the 
hedges and ditches by tfie sides thereof, are properly cut and 
opened, at the usual seasons directed by act of parliament for that 
purpose ; and convenient drains laid in proper situations, for 
diverting any stream, or water-course, that might be injurious 
thereto; and also, that unless a sufficient foundation of furze and 
green brushwood, as above-mentioned, be laid under the stones, 
gravel, or other materials, the expense and labour will, in a great 
measure, be thrown away, and in no degree answer the intended 
purpose of public utility and advantage. 
Every person (of aqy observation) must be sensible that the 
beauty of the country is very considerably defaced by the lopping 
and pollarding of trees, growing by the sides of highways; and 
it has been found, by experience, that the object of preserving the 
j-oads by such practice, is not obtained; the obstruction of the sun 
and wind arising chiefly, if not altogether, from the hedges being 
uncut, and often placed upon high banks, which prevent both heat 
and air from having that good effect which would naturally proceed 
from them without these hindrances: on the contrary, trees do 
actually defend the highways from rain in summer; and in winter 
they can be of little or no prejudice, being deprived of their leaves 
during the whole of that season: these considerations are also most 
earnestly recommended to the attention of all concerned in the 
Unking or repairing of roads. 
It 
