Massachusetts Roads

One of the difficult matters to control in the nsc of the ni w state highways, says the Athol (Mass. ) Chroniele, ia to break people of thcir invetérate habit of driving in one track, so that the horses always wear the surfaco in a particular line and the wheels teud to make ruts. Au effort is bcing rnade to stop this practice, and recently the connnission put up about 50 sigus in various towns, reading, "Don 't Drive In the Middle of the Road." The only repairs which have been necessary for the state roads have been cáused by driving horses continually in the same tracks, and about $2, 500 has had to be spent to make the damage good. In several towns, where some signs to the same effect as the above vrere posted last July, the good rcsnlt has been apparent. If the people will only wear the road unifornaly all over the surface, instead of bringing all the wear upon one spot, the roads will be vastly more seryiceable and the people will get just as much good from them. Those who have teamiug to do over the state roads teil the commissioners of the advantage they find. They cannot carry heavier loads than bef ore, for there are still so many sections which have not been touched that, as the strength of a cliain is measured by its weakest link, so the load which can bc drawn over a road is measured by the strength requircd for the worst place, but the drivers teil of the quicker time they can make over the state road and of the greater ease for their horses. The people are getting an idea of the great saving they would enjoy if all the roads were like those built by the state.