Hints On Roadmaking

The impórtanos of drainage in the oonstruction of roadbeds is not sufficicntly understood by amateur roadbuilders, farmers, path mastersand roatl tax worker In general. Dry roads, as a rule, are good roads, and the good roads problom will be uear solution when this fact is generally knowu and appreciated. Au essen tial for any kind of a roadbec is a solid foundation. This can never bo attained so long as water is allowed to rernain in the road or under it. In road drainage provisión naust bo made for both surfaoe and under drainage. The roadbed should be graded, rounded and kept smooth, so that water falling upon it tnay readily run to tho surface drains at the sides of the road. These side ditches should be graded sa that water will nofc stand in them and satúrate the roadbed by capiüary attraction. But the work is only half done by the removal of the surfaoe water. More dsngerous and injurious to the lifo of the road aro the wet placea in the road foundation. Underdrainago must be resorted to to remove this foe of good roads. Underdraina should bo made by laying a line of tile on eacn side between the roadbed and the side ditohes. These tile drains should be at least three fee deep, oarefully graded and have a good clear outlet. Wet places in spriugy or "soepy" hillsidea eau be remedied by layiug a line of tile across the roac some distance above the wet place. This will catch and remove the water before it can come near the surface. Roadbuilders should bear in mine that, no matter how hard the surface, i will not stand the weight of traffic if i be laid on wet soil, as the foundation soon becomes saturated, and the destruc tion of the road quickly follows.