h should then be half filled with rough
field stones, and on these a layer of smaller stones or gravel and a
layer of sod, hay, gravel, cinders, or straw, or, if none of these can
be had, of soil. If field stones or drain tile cannot be procured,
satisfactory results may be attained by the use of logs and brush.

If there be springs in the soil which might destroy the stability of the
road, they should, if possible, be tapped and the water carried under or
along the side until it can be turned away into some side channel. Such
drains may be made of bundles of brush, field stones, brick, or drain
tiles. They should be so protected by straw, sod, or brush as to prevent
the soil from washing in and clogging them.

Most of the roads in this country are of necessity constructed of earth,
while in a few of the richer and more enterprising communities the most
important thoroughfares are surfaced with gravel, shell, stones, or
other materials. Unless some new system for the improvement of public
roads is adopted, the inability of rural communities to raise funds for
this purpose will necessarily cause the construction of hard roads to be
very gradual for some time to come. Until this new system is adopted the
most important problem will be that of making the most of the roads
which exist, rather than building new ones of specially prepared
materials. The natural materials and the funds already available must be
used with skill and judgment in order to secure the best results. The
location, grades, and drainage having been treated in the preceding
pages, the next and most important consideration is that of constructing
and improving the various kinds of roads.

Of earth roads, as commonly built, it suffices to say that their present
conditions should not be tolerated in communities where there are any
other materials with which to improve them. Earth is the poorest of all
road materials, aside from sand, and earth roads require more attention
than any other kind of roads, and as a rule get less. At best, they
possess so many defects that they should have all the attention and care
of which their condition is susceptible. With earth alone, however, a
very passable road can be made, provided the principles of location,
drainage, and shape of surface, together with that of keeping the
surface as smooth and firm as possible by rolling, be strictly adhered
to. In fact a good earth road is second to none for summer travel and
super