254 DKAUGHT AND HARNESS. 



A well-arranged series of experiments instituted with 

 the horse-saver, by the section of the Agricultural In- 

 stitute of Halle, devoted to the trial of machinery, 

 shows that Fehrmann's traction springs or horse-savers, 

 afford an increase of tractional power of the horse, 

 amounting to from 18 to 20 per cent.; a diminution 

 of the shock transmitted to the legs and breast of 22 

 to 33 per cent., and of wear and tear of vehicle and 

 harness of the same amount. These experiments were 

 made on pavement, on steep hills, over ploughed 

 land, and both in trot and at a walk, so that they 

 seem very reliable. The author has not himself had 

 any personal experience on the subject, but the au- 

 thority on which the above statements are made being 

 official and perfectly independent deserves credence. 



The horse-saver is manufactured in several forms 

 adapted to various purposes, as for instance a single 

 one may be made to suffice for the swinging bars used 

 for a pair of horses, or two may be employed for the 

 same, one being attached behind each of the smaller 

 bars, or as has been already pointed out, one may be 

 attached to each trace. There is also a modification 

 applicable to the fixed splinter-bar of private carriages. 

 The strength of these instruments varies, some being- 

 applicable for loads under 30 cwt., and others for loads 

 from 50 cwt. up to five tons.* 



It is well known that the use of springs diminishes 

 very considerably the amount of traction required, 

 although of course the weight of the vehicle is in- 

 creased, the reason being that the cheeks to the collar 



* The inventor and patentee, Mr. C. L. Fehrmann, manufac- 

 tures the various kinds of Horse Saver at Berlin, No. 27, 

 Oranienburger Street. They may also be had from A. Lace, 

 Agricultural Implement Maker and Commission Agent, Chis- 

 bury, Gt. Bedwyn, Hungerford, Berks. 



