CARTS AND TEAMS. 349 



The labours of the teams and their drivers were slightly increased 

 by the change of plan. The carts had to be drawn from the bot- 

 tom of the digging, and also, for a large part of the time, frOm the 

 bottom of the bed of marl. But the ascent was so gradual, and 

 the way so -firm, that no greater effort was made necessary than 

 many of the obstructions on the nearly level ground, of roads or 

 field, encountered afterwards. The drivers also had now to put in 

 the whole of their loads, instead of being assisted by a pit-man, as 

 previously. But because of the greater distances in 1845, and 

 generally since, there were fewer trips, and of course fewer loads 

 to be put in and out, which kept, the loading labours to the drivers 

 nearly the same in general. These circumstances then added no- 

 thing to the former cost of hauling and loading. 



Another gain was made in increasing the loads (by heaping 

 higher in the carts), from the heaviest of the preceding year to 9 

 bushels for the single-mule cart, and 18 bushels for the two-mule 

 carts. Of the latter, one was now regularly worked, and two others 

 frequently, and found to be much preferable. For if carrying a 

 double quantity, a two-mule cart was much cheaper than double 

 the price of a single-mule cart ; and also was cheaper in working, 

 than two small carts, in requiring one driver instead of two 

 though a driver of more ability and value. The increase of loads 

 to 9 bushels to the mule (whether in single or double carts,) had 

 been made in April 1845, and has been maintained since, when- 

 ever the ground was firm, and the road good. Particularly, the 

 marling mules continued regularly to haul these loads through all 

 the time when so engaged that year, until in September, when 

 marling was suspended. They kept in excellent condition ; and 

 better than I have ever had the ploughing teams during summer. 

 The average day's travel, in hauling marl, had also been increased, 

 for weeks together, to as much as 26 miles ; and from April to 

 September was not less than an average of 2.5 miles. Any greater 

 distance was not desired ; but could not be always avoided, when 

 the trips were very long. The increasing the sizes of loads made 

 a diminution of cost, nearly equal to one-ninth, certainly to full 

 one-tenth of the previous cost of transportation. 



The values of the several diminutions of cost of labour stated 

 above will be more clearly exhibited by comparative statement of 

 the expenses in 1844, before presented, and those of 1845. 



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