anaheim-gazette 1908-06-11

SIMPLE ROAD-MAKING DEVICE How to Build and Use the Split-log Drag—Government Bulletin on This Very Important Subject One of the latest publications issued by the office of Public Roads of the United States Department of Agriculture treats of the split-log drag, an implement which numerous experiments have conclusively shown to be the greatest possible boon to keep earth roads smooth and passable. Because of its simplicity, its efficiency and its cheapness, both in construction and operation, it is destined to come more and more into general use. With the drag properly built and its use well understood, the maintenance of earth roads becomes a simple and inexpensive matter. At the present time there are approximately 2,000,000 miles of earth roads in the United States. Some of the most important of these roads will eventually be improved with stone, gravel, and other materials. Many others which are equally important cannot be so improved on account of lack of funds or suitable materials, while still others will not require such treatment because of the light traffic to which they are subjected. For these reasons the majority of our roads must be maintained as earth roads for many years to come. This must be done by end of the chain should be passed through a hole in the opposite side of the front slab and held by a pass through a link. For ordinary purposes, the horse should be so made that the unloaded drag will follow the team at angle of about 45 deg. The horse should be driven with one horse either side of the right hand when track or rut the full length of portion to be dragged, and make return in the same manner over other half of the roadway. Such treatment will move the earth wards the center of the roadway and raise it gradually above the rounding level. The best results have been obtained by dragging roads once each after each heavy rain. In some cases, however, one dragging every three or four weeks has been sufficient to keep a road in good condition. When the soil is moist but sticky the drag does its best work. As the soil in a field will bake ploughed wet, so the road will be if the drag is used on it when wet. If the roadway is full of hot or badly rutted, the drag should be used once when the ground is dry and slushy. This is particularly applicable before a cold spell in win when it is possible to so prepare surface that it will freeze smoothly. Not infrequently conditions met which may be overcome by slight change in the manner of hitching. Shortening the ch tends to lift the front slab and make the cutting slight, while a long hitch causes the front slab to Many others which are equally important cannot be so improved on account of lack of funds or suitable materials, while still others will not require such treatment because of the light traffic to which they are subjected. For these reasons the majority of our roads must be maintained as earth roads for many years to come. This must be done by inexpensive methods and the split-log drag will be a powerful aid if economy is the criterion demanded. In the construction of this implement, care should be taken to make it so light that one man can lift it with ease, a light drag responding more readily to various methods of hitching than a heavy one, as well as to the shifting of the position of the operator. The best material for a split-log drag is a dry red cedar log, though red elm and walnut are excellent, and box elder, soft maple, or even willow are superior to oak, hickory or ash. The log should be between 7 and 10 feet long and from 10 to 12 inches in diameter at the butt end. It should be split carefully as near the center as possible, and the heaviest and best slab chosen for the front. In the front slab 4 inches from the end which is to drag in the middle of the road bore a 2 inch hole which is to receive a cross stake. At a distance of 22 inches from the other end of the front slab, locate the center for another cross stake. The hole for the middle stake will be on a line connecting and halfway between the two. Then place the back slab in position and from the end which is to drag in the middle of the road measure 20 inches for the center of one cross stake and 6 inches from the other end locate the center of the opposite stake. The hole for the center stake should be located half way between the two. All these holes should be carefully bored perpendicular or at right angles to the face of the split log. If these directions are followed it will not infrequently conditions met which may be overcome by slight change in the manner of hitching. Shortening the chute tends to lift the front slab and make the cutting slight, while a long hitch causes the front slab to move deeply into the earth and on the principle of a plow. If a furrow of earth is to be made the doubletree should be attached close to the ditch end of the drive and the driver should stand with his foot on the extreme forward end of the front slab. Conditions are so varied in different localities, however, that it quite impossible to lay down special rules. Certain sections of roadway will require more attention than others, because steep grades, wet weather spring soil conditions, exposure to sun and wind, washes, etc. There is one edition, however, in which special attention should be given. Clay rods under persistent drappings frequently become too high in the center. This may be corrected by digging the earth towards the center of the road twice, and away from once. There is no question as to the economy of this road making implementation, either in first cost or in operation. In six counties in Kansas 1906 the cost of maintaining ordinary earth roads, without the aid of the split-log drag, averaged $42.5 mile. These figures were furnished by Professor W. C. Hoad of University of Kansas, who secured them from official records of counties.* Some figures furnished by F. Sanborn and R. H. Aishton, general manager of the Chicago and Northwestern railroad, have revealed wonders of this simple device. Sanborn said "the least expense mile per annum for split-log drag." to drag in the middle of the road measure 20 inches for the center of one cross stake and 6 inches from the other end locate the center of the opposite stake. The hole for the center stake should be located half way between the two. All these holes should be carefully bored perpendicular or at right angles to the face of the split log. If these directions are followed it will be found that when the holes of the front and back slabs are brought opposite each other, one end of the back slab will be 16 inches nearer the center of the roadway than the front one. That gives what is known as a "set back." The stakes, which are 30 inches long, will hold the slabs this distance apart. When the stakes have been firmly wedged into their sockets, a brace about 2 inches thick and 4 inches wide may be placed diagonally to them at the ditch end of the drag. A cleated board is placed between the slabs and across the stakes for the driver to stand on. By many it is deemed best to place a strip of iron along the lower face of the front slab for a cutting blade and to prevent the drag from wearing. The drag may be fastened to the doubletree by means of a trace chain. The chain should be wrapped around the lefthand or rear stake and passed over the front slab. Raising the chain at this end of the slab permits the earth to drift past the face of the drag. The other by Professor W. C. Hoad of university of Kansas, who secured them from official records of counties! Some figures furnished by F. Sanborn and R. H. Aishton, general manager of the Chicago and Northwestern railroad, have revealed wonders of this simple device. Sanborn said "the least expense mile per annum for split-log dragging was $1.50, the greatest a litter over $6, and the average expense mile for 5½ miles a little over $3. Have lived along this road all life and never in 40 years have I seen it freer from mud and dust, despite the fact that during the season have experienced the extremes of weather conditions." The testimony of Mr. Aishton equally strong. Learning that township in Iowa had been made an investigation of the split-log drag and had been experimented with it for a year on 28 miles of high way, he sent an agent to secure formation. It was reported that though the town board had paid the cost of making the drags and of buying men to operate them, the total expense for one year averaged $2.40 a mile, and the roads were reported to have been "like a raid track" the greater portion of the year. First class land with probably cheapest water supply in the state, small payments. John Schumacher, Jr., Anaheim, Calc $150 for Best Article The republican congressional committee offers $150 for the best article not exceeding 1000 words on the subject: "Why the Republican Party Should Be Successful Next November." The competition is open to all. In judging the merits of contributions consideration will be given not only to style, arguments and facts presented, but to the convincing power, and it should be borne in mind that members of congress are to be elected as well as president and vice president. No manuscript will be returned, but will be the property of the committee. 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