164 HOESE POBTRAITUEE. 



only, a very small proportion of it finding its way outside. 

 As the track becomes hard, we load the scraper, to enable 

 it to cut off the inequalities, depositing the surplus in the 

 depressions. 



We will also want a harrow, built after a different 

 plan from the approved agricultural pattern. The teeth 

 should be made of steel, a quarter of an inch thick, and 

 one and a half inches wide, hammered to a point, and the 

 edge sharpened. These teeth are set in a frame and in- 

 clined a little backward. They are placed in three di- 

 visions, arranged so they will cut the space in which they 

 run into inch strips. A pole is necessary that it may fol- 

 low the team, which is further controlled by handles like 

 those of a plow. Should the track become hard, this in- 

 strument cuts it up very effectually to the depth required, 

 leaving a light coating of loose dirt, which has a great ef- 

 fect in moderating the concussion consequent upon the 

 rapid motion of a horse, also filling up the space between 

 the shoe sole and frog, the benefit of greater elasticity in 

 yielding to the jamming force of the blow thus secured. 

 We will find the constant use of the harrow, brush, and 

 scraper needed during the first year ; after that the track 

 can be kept in order with a great deal less work. 



After a rain, the track should be harrowed when it has 

 become dry enough not to clog the teeth. This keeps the 

 surface from drying and cupping out. The brush spoken 

 of, I make by having an axle ten feet long placed in the 

 hind wheels of a lumber wagon, with holes bored in it 

 two inches in diameter, and six or eight inches apart. 

 The holes are sloping, so that, when the wheels are on and 

 the brush fastened in these holes, it will be held firmly 

 against the ground. Elm or birch is the best, the pliant 

 twigs lasting a long while before they need renewing. 

 This levels the newly harrowed surface admirably, and I 

 have never known any other instrument needed to keep 



