ROAD-MAKING. 295 



side of the centre so as to turn over and empty themselves when a small 

 iron pin seen at j, figure 2, is withdrawn. Three men can be employed 

 to advantage at the wheel, two remaining on, whilst the third gets off to 

 land the box. Should the box not be heavy enough, the diameter of the 

 axle can be enlarged, so as to make up in time what is lost in weight. 

 Should it be too heavy for the force employed, the diameter may be les- 

 sened." 



The above dimensions of timbers were those of the particular 

 machine measured by Dr. Archer; but they vary in all the machines 

 of this kind used at the fortress. The length of the arms of course 

 should be proportioned to the height to which the loaded buckets 

 are to be raised. For marl, any sized timbers on hand, or logs, 

 that are long enough, would serve for the base (i, i.) It is how- 

 ever desirable that the machine should be as light as is consistent 

 with strength, for the greater facility of moving it; and for strength 

 alone (as in all other machines) the large size of timbers is of less 

 importance than their being well put together. Two thick and 

 narrow planks, firmly spiked together, and with a space left be- 

 tween of proper size for the shelve to . play in at the upper end, 

 would be a cheaper substitute for the^^ib a*. When carts are re- 

 moving the marl at the same time it is raised, there would be much 

 advantage gained in having the boxes of such size as to be emptied 

 in to 'the carts, and the measure or load of a box, to be some aliquot 

 part of the loads for the carts. 



Machines of this kind will be required, and will be most profita- 

 ble, whenever marl is to be taken from deep and wet pits, and in 

 extended operations. 



Making Roads. 



On high and hilly land, marl is generally found near the bottom 

 of ravines, and separated from the field to which it is to be carried 

 by a high and steep hill-side. The difficulty of cutting roads in such 

 situations is much less than any inexperienced person would sup- 

 pose. We cannot get rid of any of the actual elevation but the 

 ascent may be made as gradual as is desired, by a proper location 

 of the road. The intended course must be laid off by the eye, and 

 the upper side of the road marked. If it passes through woods, 

 it will be necessary to use grubbing hoes for the digging. With 

 these, the digging should be begun at the distance of four of five 

 feet below the marked line, and carried horizontally onward to it. 

 The earth so dug is to be pulled back with the broad hoes, and 

 laid over a width of three or four feet below the place from which 

 it was taken. Thus the upper side of the road is formed by cut- 

 ting down, and the lower side by filling up with the earth taken 

 from above. 



