258 Mr Hope on Wood Vatlng, 



uniformity is not objectionable), and rendered the surface rough 

 and less slippery in frosty weather. 



Laying aside this additional surety, in the course of two 

 winters, I could find no other objection to frost than the slip- 

 peryness ; but which, from the sand introduced between the 

 fibres, and the grooving, was really no worse than on any other 

 pavement ; and even less than on a smooth macadamized road. 

 And, in regard to the effect on the timber, I could discover 

 nothing that was injurious, for the frost did not penetrate 

 deep, and I did not find that the substratum was frozen at all. 



V. On Traction on Wood Pavement. 



Wood is eminently superior to any other material which has 

 yet been employed for enhancing the value of animal power 

 in draught, from its elasticity, and its peculiarity of maintain- 

 ing, in all seasons and conditions of the weather, the same 

 compact and even surface. 



Besides the absence of surface resistance on wood, the power 

 of the horse is materially increased when acting on the elastic 

 surface. The resistance which the foot of the animal meets 

 with on stone pavement is communicated throughout its whole 

 body, reducing its power of action at the time, as well as the 

 duration of its working life. But in wood pavement this re- 

 sistance is partly borne by its superior elasticity, which receives 

 a portion of the shock, and diminishes the injurious effects of 

 percussion on the hoof. The muscular energy of the animal is 

 in proportion saved — the abrasion of the pavement is reduced 

 — and the wear and tear of carts and vehicles is diminished. 



To ascertain the weight which a horse could draw, with the 

 same exertion, and at the same rate of speed, on a macadam- 

 ized road, on granite, and on wood pavements, I found tlie 

 following to be the proportions deduced from a variety of ex- 

 periments : — 



Cwts. 

 On granite pavement, .... 28 

 On a macadamized road, . . . 34f * 



On wood pavement; .... 50 



* The weight on the macadamized road camiot be considered as a constant 



