s, of sand
or gravelly loam or clay, should be evenly spread on and slightly
sprinkled if in dry weather, before the rolling is begun. Hardpan or
stone screenings are much preferred for this purpose if they can be had.

The tendency of material to spread under the roller and work toward the
sides can be resisted by rolling that portion nearest the gutters first.
To give the surface the required form and to secure uniform density, it
is necessary at times to employ men with rakes to fill any depressions
which may form.

In order to maintain a gravel road in good condition, it is well to keep
piles of gravel alongside at frequent intervals, so that the person who
repairs the road can get the material without going too far for it. As
soon as ruts or holes appear on the surface some of this good fresh
material should be added and tamped into position or kept raked smooth
until properly consolidated.

If the surface needs replenishing or rounding up, as is frequently the
case with new roads after considerable wear, the material should be
applied in sections or patches, raked and rolled until hard and smooth.

Care must be taken that the water from higher places does not drain upon
or run across the road. The side ditches, culverts, and drains should be
kept open and free from debris.

In many of the Eastern and Southern States road stones do not exist;
neither is it possible to secure good coarse gravel. No such material
can be secured except at such an expense for freight as to practically
preclude its use for road-building. Oyster shells can be secured
cheaply in most of these states, and when applied directly upon sand or
sandy soil, eight or ten inches in thickness, they form excellent roads
for pleasure driving and light traffic. Shells wear much more rapidly
than broken stone or gravel of good quality, and consequently roads made
of them require more constant attention to keep them in good order. In
most cases they should have an entirely new surface every three or four
years. When properly maintained they possess many of the qualities found
in good stone or gravel roads, and so far as beauty is concerned they
cannot be surpassed.

The greatest obstacles to good stone road construction in most places in
the United States are the existing methods of building and systems of
management, whereby millions of dollars are annually wasted in improper
construction or in making trifling repairs on temporary structures.