The perfect pavement is an ideal which will never be attained, since some of the qualities required in a

perfect pavement are antagonistic to each other. For instance, perfect durability would require a
pavement without friction, for friction causes wear and ultimately destruction of the pavement; but
without friction there could be no adequate foot hold for horses drawing loads. Again, to be the least
injurious to horses, a pavement should be soft and yielding; but a soft and yielding pavement is opposed
to ease of traction. The conditions to be fulfilled by the ideal pavement will first be considered; and
subsequently an attempt will be made to estimate the degree to which each kind of pavement
approximates the per fect ideal.

A perfect pavement should satisfy the following conditions: 1. It should be low in first cost.

2. It should be durable, i. e., the cost of perpetually maintain ing its surface in good condition should be
small.

3. It should have a smooth, hard surface, so as to have a low tractive resistance.

4. It should afford a good foot hold to enable horses to draw heavy loads, and to prevent them from
slipping and falling and possibly injuring themselves and blocking traffic.

5. It should be smooth, so as to be easily cleaned.

6. It should be comparatively noiseless.

7. It should be impervious, so as to keep in good sanitary condition.

8. It should yield neither dust nor mud.

9. It should be comfortable to those who ride over it.

10. It should not absorb heat excessively.