124 Implements of Husbandry. 



going over a farm, the wheels would sink into the ground, 

 to the great injury of the land, particularly when in grass* 



The practice of putting three or four horses in a cart, (as 

 is done in the neighbourhood of the metropolis), deserves 

 reprehension. When such carts are empty, they are consi- 

 derably heavier than one horse can draw in constant work 

 (* 3 ) ; and seldom much more than a ton is conveyed by 

 such carts, even with three or four horses ( 3r 4 ). 



Where oxen are used, it is better that they should be 

 yoked in pairs ; and Lord Somerville, with his usual zeal for 

 agricultural improvement, has given the description of a drag 

 cart for two oxen, by which they would be able to draw a 

 considerable weight, even in a hilly country ( ap5 ). 



2. Irish cars have their advantages. They are easily 

 filled ; pass confined gateways with facility ; can be drawn 

 upon soft meadow or ploughed grounds, with little injury or 

 inconvenience ; and the wheels being cylindrical, they are 

 much less destructive to roads. They were recommended, 

 for these reasons, by Bakewell, and the late Mr Wilkes of 

 Measham, ( 2o6 ) ; but they do not carry such heavy weights, 

 as single horse-carts will convey ( z 7 ). The Irish car has, 

 of late, been much improved, having got iron axle-trees on 

 the same plan as carts (* 8 ). 



3. Tumbrils with three wheels, are of use for particular 

 purposes ; as, for carrying dung, or conveying marie from a 

 pit. But they are not adopted to any great extent. 



4. Where the country is level, the roads free from ruts, 

 and the people rich, (as the brewers, distillers, and some 

 farmers of Surrey and Middlesex), they indulge in expensive 

 horses, and teams of parade and show ( z 9 ) ; but in general, 

 these teams are but little adapted for agricultural purposes, 

 more especially for the corn or hay harvest, when expedition 

 is so essential. Heavy waggons also, are greatly to be ob- 

 jected to in hilly districts, as the wheels must be frequently 

 locked, by which the roads are ploughed up, and most es- 

 sentially injured. 



8. Implements for harnessing Stock. 



Harness, or the traces, trappings, yokings, and furniture 

 of animals employed in draught, are articles of considerable 

 expense, but of great utility. If the best mode of applying 

 the power of different animals by proper ligaments, as well 

 as the materials of which they ought to be made, be taken 



