72 DKAWING. 



be i^ulling ux), it is like his having to raise a certain 

 part of the weight of the carriage with every step he 

 moves ; and the faster he goes, the more injuriously 

 does this principle operate against him. 



The point of the pole-and-chain attachment should 

 be always so elevated from its insertion in the carriage 

 as to be on a level with the rings of the hames through 

 which the pole-chains pass. On the point of the pole 

 should be a revolving steel cross-tree, from eight to 

 ten inches in length, in the ends of which the pole- 

 chains or leathers are inserted. The working of this 

 contrivance will, to any practical man, demonstrate its 

 utility. 



In light double harness, I much prefer using swing- 

 ing-bars instead of one inflexible splinter-bar, unless 

 for very heavy draught. Horses should be placed close 

 to their work. For adjusting the traces to that effect, 

 see page 57. 



It should be remembered that the farther forward 

 in a carriage the weight to be drawn is placed, the 

 easier will be the draught on the horse. Thus the 

 weicrht of one man at the extreme end of a vehicle 

 (like a conductor on an omnibus) has as much effect 

 on the traction as that of two men on or near the 

 driving-seat. The deader the weight, let it be placed 

 as it may, the greater the trial on the horse ; therefore 

 inanimate matter is heavier on traction than anything 

 having; life. 



Vehicles of which the lower carriage and axles are 

 kept braced together by a perch steadying the action 

 of the wheels, are much the easiest on the draught. 

 The Americans are well aware of the advantages of 

 such a construction for encountering the roughness of 



