810 HORSE-POWER 



The total quantity of work done by tho horses, and its cost, was as under: 



Registered quantity of water drawn 104 feet, tho average height."! 



28,220,800 gallons / 28 ' 5til 



Do. earth, 3,500 yds. 1 ton 6 cwts. per yard .... 4,550 



Total weight drawn to tho surface . , , 133,085 



Total cost of horse-labour, including a boy to drive each horse, 1.585/. 15s. 3d., or 

 2'86rf. per ton the average height of 104 ft. 



Mr. Palmer made some experiments on the amount of work performed by horses 

 tracking boats on canals. On tho upper end of the mast of tho boat a pulley was hung ; 

 over this tho towing rope was passed, with the means of suspending to its extremity 

 given weights, so as exactly to balance the power exerted by the horse. 



The results arrived at by these means were so various, that he could not deduce 

 any average conclusions, as tho power exerted varied between 30 Ibs. and 120 Ibs., 

 the power diminishing as tho speed was increased. He thought that 2k miles was too 

 high an average estimate, and that it should not exceed 2 miles per hour, although 

 in all estimates of horse-power, the speed was considered to be at an average of 2 

 miles per hour, and all experiments were reduced to that standard. 



Mr. Hawkins, some years since, had made numerous inquiries respecting the work 

 done by horses in drawing upon common turnpike-roads, and found that four good 

 horses could draw an ordinary stage-coach, with its complement of passengers, at tho 

 rate of 10 miles an hour; that if they ran stages 10 miles in tho hour, the horses must 

 rest one day in each week ; that good horses, so worked, would last only fivo years, 

 each horse drawing about half a ton. He had been informed by waggoners, that 

 good horses would walk at the rate of 2 miles per hour, for 12 hours out of 24, 

 making 30 miles a day ; and that they would continue to do such work day by day, 

 each horse drawing 1 ton, for many years, provided they had not been worked hard 

 when young. 



It is desirable to know the average speed at which the different rates of work had 

 been performed ; this was essential in order to found any calculation upon tho results 

 given. Coach proprietors calculated that at a speed of 10 miles per hour, a horse was 

 required for every mile going and returning, so that one horse was kept for every 

 mile of road. Now supposing a four-horse coach, with an average load, to weigh 2 

 tons, the load for each horse was 10 cwts. ; whereas in tho case of a horse drawing a 

 cart, the gross load frequently amounted to 2 tons, but the speed was reduced to 2 

 miles per hour, at which pace he conceived that 16 miles per day might be considered 

 a fair day's work ; this therefore was double tho distance with four times tho load, or 

 eight times the coach-work, but with a heavier horse. 



The law that the quantity of work done was as the square root of the velocity, or 

 as the cube root of the velocity, in equal times, is confined to work upon canals, or 

 bodies moving through the water. 



Mr. Ronnie had tried some experiments on the force of traction of tho boats on the 

 Grand Junction Canal. The towing rope was attached to a dynamometer, which had 

 previously been tested by weights. 



The horse, although urged at first starting, was afterwards allowed to fall into his 

 natural speed, which was 2 miles per hour on the average of 20 miles. The maxi- 

 mum speed was 4 miles, and the minimum 2 miles, per hour. Tho dynamometer 

 indicated an average of 108 Ibs., which was capable of overcoming tho resistance of 

 the loaded barge of 25 tons, being in the ratio of 15'00. The weight of tho horse was 

 about 11 cwts. 



He also tried many experiments upon a fast boat, lent to him in 1833 by the lato 

 Colonel Page. These experiments were principally made in order to ascertain tho 

 comparative resistance of vessels moving through water 'at different velocities, and 

 the Grand Junction Canal afforded a convenient opportunity of undertaking them. 



The boat was 70 feet in length, 4 feet in breadth, and drew 9 inches in water. 



The traction indicated by the dynamometer the following resistance : 



Miles per hour UK*. 



At 2 the resistance was 20 



3 27 

 3i 30 



4 50 

 4> 60 



5 70 to 75 

 One horse was employed in these expe- 

 riments. 





Miles per honr Ibs. 



At 6 the resistance was 97 to 214 



7 250 



8 336 

 9-69 411 

 10 375 

 Hi >, 392 



Average 336 

 Two horses wore employed in these expe- 

 riments. 



