which have been devised from time to time. The machine can pare or dress the edges of public roads; the portion trimmed at one operation may vary from 6 inches to 30 inches in breadth, while it can be adjusted to cut from 1 inch to 10 inches in depth. Besides having a suitable framework it is made up of a revolving cutting steel wheel, 2 feet in diameter, which acts in a vertical direction on the turf border to be dressed. The horizontal cutting is performed by a set of blades or cutting tools; the whole apparatus being regulated by suitable gearing, controlled by a man operating two handles placed on the platform at the rear end of the engine. The edge-dressing machine is attached to an engine or road-roller, as shown in fig. 122, one of the driving-wheels of which acts as the leading wheel of the machine, so as to give it rigidity for steering and sufficient pressure when at work. Parallel sights are fixed on the engine to guide the driver in preserving a regular course. The loosened materials are left in a continuous heap along the edge of the road and can be disposed of according to circumstances. It is a very efficient machine and does excellent work; it is capable of cutting tree roots of moderate size, rank vegetation, and of penetrating stony ground. It is stated that by the use of this machine, attached to a six horsepower engine, 15 to 18 miles of road can be pared in one week, including the usual stoppages and changing from one part of a district to another. It may be worked by an engine hired for the purpose, but is generally attached to a road-roller, thus utilizing the spare time should the amount of rolling be insufficient to so employ it all the year round. The cost of paring a road-side by the machine is 7s. to 10s. per mile compared with £2 to £4 by hand labour. The price of this road-edge cutting machine fitted on to an engine or road-roller is about £90. 404. Engine and Store Shed. In a county or district possessing a road maintenance plant, comprising roller, road-engine, stone-breaker, rock drill, sweeping and scraping machines, a shed is necessary to stable the different machines when not in use or when under repair. The shed should be commodious but not unnecessarily large, and have sufficient headway to admit of the free passage of the engines. One side may be occupied by a working bench with vice, etc., for carrying out small repairs, storage for new tools, and a suitable arrangement for placing the oil casks in position. On the other side of the shed the indiarubber tubing, iron pipes, drill steels, etc., can be stored clear of the ground. A stove fixed at one end is a great convenience in many ways. It is advisable to have adjoining the shed for storing drain pipes and other material, a small piece of ground, and which can also be utilized for stabling the plant temporarily. A shed to accommodate all the plant used in connection with a district extending from 100 to 200 miles of road will be best served by making it about 60 feet long and 25 feet wide; a cross-section of such a shed is shown in fig. 123. The columns or standards are generally made of channel iron or Hsection fixed at their lower ends in a concrete block, and having the top part bolted to an angle iron run round the whole erection. The doors, 12 feet wide, are arranged to slide by means of wheels on a T-iron fixed to the framework. The roof is made up of T-iron principals, having struts and ties, placed over the standards and fixed to the angle iron by means of a gusset-plate. The covering is usually of corrugated iron, and of No. 20 B.W.G. fixed to angle-iron runners on sides of shed, and to the T-irons of the roof principals or to purlins. The sheets should be properly lapped, and secured with bolts, washers, and nuts. It is desirable to have as much light as possible admitted to the interior of the shed, and for this purpose windows are fixed either in a continuous manner, or detached, on either side of the shed to the framework. Roof-lights should also be introduced at convenient points. A space at the apex of the principals is left open for ventilation, and a hood erected over it to prevent the ingress of rain or snow. The appearance of the erection is greatly improved, and the corrugated iron, although galvanized, is preserved by being painted. 405. Cost of Erecting an Engine Shed.-The cost of erecting a shed of the dimensions given, and of the materials described, may vary from 1s. 6d. to 1s. 9d. per square foot of area occupied, or from £120 to £130, with an additional £5 for erecting benches and other internal fittings. It is advisable to enclose the ground occupied by erecting a fence, the cost of which is not included in the figures given. 406. In addition to having a central shed, small sheds or huts should be erected at convenient points throughout the district, for keeping those of the roadmen's tools which are not in daily use. They are also very convenient for storing coals in connection with rolling operations, as in many districts the sources of supply or the railway depôts are situated at a considerable distance; many instances they will save considerable inconvenience and loss of time. If these huts are made of a sufficient size a considerable quantity of fuel can be stored, to supply the requirements in case of emergency. They need not be expensive erections, and may be made either of old railway sleepers or with wood posts, and covered with corrugated iron sheets, at an outlay of from £8 to £12. in 407. Purchasing Tools and General Stores.-The purchasing of tools, oils, coals, blasting explosives, and detonators, demands careful attention. If the workmen's tools are obtained locally and in small lots, owing to the want of a proper place to store them, it is evident that the cost of procuring these articles is greatly increased, beyond what would be that of purchasing in large quantities for one or two years' requirements. The supplying of the |