Once out, the first farmer will give information about the roads beyond.
In wet weather the last question will be, "Is the road clayey or bottomless anywhere ?" In dry weather, "Is there any deep, soft sand, and are there any sand hills ?" The judgment of a man who is looking at the machine while he is giving information is biased by the impressions as to what the machine can do; make allowances for this and get, if possible, an accurate description of the condition of any road which is pronounced impassable, for you alone know what the machine can do, and many a road others think you cannot cover is made with ease.
To the farmer the automobile is a traction engine, and he advises the route accordingly; he will even speculate whether a given bridge will support the extraordinary load.
Once we were directed to go miles out of our way over a series of hills to avoid a stretch of road freshly covered with broken stone, because our solicitous friends were sure the stones would cut the rubber tires.
On the other hand, in Michigan, a well meaning old lady sent us straight against the very worst of sand hills, not a weed, stone, or hard spot on it, so like quicksand that the wheels sank as they revolved; it was the only hill from which we retreated, to find that farmers avoided that particular road on account of that notorious hill, to find also a good, well-travelled road one mile farther around.

These instances are mentioned here to show how hazardous it is to accept blindly directions given.
"Is this the road to-- ?" is the chauffeur's ever recurring shout to people as he whizzes by.

Four times out of five he gets a blank stare or an idiotic smile.

Now and then he receives a quick "Yes" or "No." If time permits to stop and discuss the matter at length, do so with a man; if passing quickly, ask a woman.
A woman will reply before a man comprehends what is asked; the feminine mind is so much more alert than the masculine; then, too, a woman would rather know what a man is saying than watch a machine, while a man would rather see the machine than listen;--in many ways the automobile differentiates the sexes.
Of a group of school children, the girls will answer more quickly and accurately than the boys.

What they know, they seem to know positively.