214 



cially when they are to be brought from the distance of lialf 

 a mile or more, as must often happen. I have, however, by 

 bringing the third wheel closer to the two others, endeavoured 

 to render this less objectionable. 



In a system of transportation, regulated by the above 

 principles, it will be perceived, that the driver of the horses 

 cannot proceed too slowly. The rate of between two and 

 three miles an hour on level ground, implies the quickest 

 pace that should ever be attempted. By heights and hollows, 

 and narrow passes, by roughness or unevenness of ground, 

 accidents enow will happen, without aggravating them by 

 carelessness, or needless haste. In going up an acclivity, 

 how gradual soever it may be, it is obvious, that with a load 

 so nicely balanced, a proportional depression of the top must 

 take place, and in descending, a like depression of the root. 

 But by the attention of the steersman, and particularly of 

 the two balancemen above, or the efforts of both united, 

 much undue pressure on either roots or branches may be 

 avoided. If the declivity be steep, approaching to a fall of 

 one foot in twenty, foresight will suggest the expediency of 

 taking off the horses, so as to prevent the possibility of their 

 being overrun by the machine ; for, in such a case, it will 

 be found to descend with sufficient velocity, and little aid 

 from the men, in consequence of the impetus given to it by 

 its own vv^eight. 



There is, however, one species of accident, against which 

 it may be proper to caution the inexperienced planter, as it 

 has happened at this place. As it did happen, it was pro- 

 ductive only of merriment, instead of the loss of life or limb ; 

 although such an issue was far more " owing to good luck 

 than to good guiding" (as the national proverb has it,) or to 

 any claim to vigilance, or prudent management. In pro- 

 ceeding with the machine down a gentle slope of some 

 length, at an accelerated pace, on which occasion both the 

 balancemen had gained the top with their usual agility, it so 



