SPRINGS — SHACKLES. 147 



those placed on the road wagon, because the C, the cradle, 

 and shackle spring are still used, but on the road and 

 trotting wagon are not to be seen. Every road and trot- 

 ting wagon should be placed on elliptic springs as they now 

 are built, but with the addition of a shackle, at least on one 

 end, to allow of elongation and contraction, according to the 

 weight placed upon them, and the condition of road or 

 street, and our word for it less breakdoicns will occur.* 



Until we have the introduction o^ shackles to allow 

 shuttle movement, broken springs and accidents with loss 

 of life will be of frequent occurrence. For road and trotting 

 wagons of two springs, one in front and one behind, and 

 placed along the axle, a shackle on one end of each will be 

 enough ) but this would give an odd appearance ; therefore 

 to prevent this, let one of the shortest shackles be placed at 

 both ends of each of the two springs, making them more 

 pleasing to the eye and even more serviceable. For wagons 

 of four springs, and placed across the axles, there will be 

 no necessity for shackles on both ends of the spring, either 

 for appearance or safety; but let the shackle be placed on 

 the end reaching under the body of the wagon. Carriages 

 with springs so constructed are easy to ride in, and will 

 wear many years longer. With shackled springs and Col- 

 lings axles, we can sail — don't say ride — over the rough- 



* It is estimated that $56,000,000 is lost annually to the people 

 of the United States in wear and tear of horses, vehicles and har- 

 ness, by bad systems of road-making and street paving. 

 13* 



