2o2 DEAUGHT AND HARNESS. 



angle, and it would also form one if attached at d, pf 

 and jo c? being parallel. The short trace /e (compare 

 fig. 17 a) forms a still greater angle, and the 'tendency 

 of both must always be to lift the collar upwards, the 

 evil effects of which we have shown. But with the 

 draught-bar in the centre of the leg of the hames, we 

 have both the long and the short traces, d c and d e, 

 in the line of the bar, and both, therefore, causing a 

 perpendicular pressure of the whole under-surface of 

 the collar on the horse's slioulder. 



The 2 race. — There remains nothing to be said of 

 the trace, excepting what regards its length. In 

 England horses are harnessed much shorter and nearer 

 to their work than in any other country. Some of the 

 reasons for this are sound and practical, others simply 

 mistakes or misapplied forms of correct general prin- 

 ciples. It is in the first place possible to use very 

 short traces in this country, because our roads are verj' 

 generally superior to any others ; then it is always 

 desirable when the work is to be done on crowded 

 roads or streets with frequent stoppages and sharp 

 turnings. Even for military purposes, where much of 

 the work must be done in difficult ground, there is an 

 advantage in making the teams as short as is otherwise 

 consistent with the ease of the horses, because the 

 length of the columns is thereby kept within limits. 

 But it is altogether a mistake to suppose that a short 

 trace of itself confers a greater mechanical advantage on 

 the motor (horse) than a longer one ; in fact, it is very- 

 evident that the contrary may be the case, for figs. 19 

 and 20 show very plainly that the angle of traction 

 may be made more favourable with a long than with a 

 short trace ; and what is true with regard to the incli- 



