ON DRAUGHT. 443 



A wago'on with part of the floor and body cut away, so as to form a sort 

 of recess for the front wheels to turn into, allows of all the movements that 

 can be required, except in the crowded streets of a town, and by this 

 arrano-ement there is nothing to prevent the front wheel bein^ made of 

 large diameter, as in the case just described. Our present object, how- 

 ever, is not to enter into a detailed description of how we should build a 

 vvao-'o-on, but simply to recommend the use of large front wheels, as tend- 

 ing'^much to diminish the draught. An intelligent wheelwright will always 

 kn1)W how to construct a waggon so as to admit of this. 



The consideration of the subject of the wheels naturally includes that of 

 the comparative advantages of two-wheeled and four-wheeled carriages. 

 Upon this point opinions differ as much as upon any of those we have 

 already considered ; and we fear that we are not hkely to do more than 

 to arrange the different opinions given by others, without advancing any of 

 our own° If we succeed, however, in doing this clearly we shall have done 

 much, because we may thus enable each individual to separate those 

 arguments which apply particularly to his own case ; and combining these 

 op'inions with his own judgment, he will be more likely to arrive at a 

 just conclusion, than if he were altogether unaided by the experience 

 of others. 



The advocates of light two-wheeled carts assert that a horse working 

 alone is capable of performing more work than when forming one of a 

 team; and that in consequence of this increased effect, there is a saving of 

 expense nearly in the proportion of three to two, or one-third. 



The advocates for waggons assert, on the contrary, that it requires that 

 each horse in a single-horse cart should be of a superior quality, and, 

 therefore more expensive than those of a team, where the average power 

 only is considered ; that the wear and tear, first cost, and expense of at- 

 tendance of several small carts, is greater than that of a waggon carrying 

 the same load, and that in consequence there is an economy obtained by 

 the latter in a proportion of about four to three. 



i Numbers of facts and the results of long experience are adduced on 

 either side, all of which convey much useful information, and the substance 

 of the whole appears to be, that with light single-horse two-wheeled carts, 

 good horses are able to draw greater loads, and do more work in propor- 

 tion than a waggon team ; that these carts are easier loaded and un- 

 loaded, do less injury to the roads, and that they do not require more 

 horses in action than are sufficient for the work to be performed. 



On the other hand, it is found that the horses must be stronger and 

 better fed ; that being entirely dependant on their own exertions, although 

 doing more work, they are more fatigued, and sooner knocked up ; that 

 on rough roads they are liable to be shaken and injured by the sudden 

 movements and shocks of the cart, all of which are conveyed by the shafts 

 directly to the horse; that in ascending or descending hills tlie whole 

 weight being; above the axle-tree, it destroys the balance, and is thrown too 

 much upon the n^rsa in the former case, or tends to raise him from the 

 ground in the latter, which even if any alteration of the balance be found 

 advan,\q,geous, is exactly the contrary of what would be necessary. 



Tnat^itl^ a waggon — the average power of several horses is obtained — 

 horses o v^grior quality may therefore be used ; — they are not so much 

 fatigued, ^use by relieving each other they can alternately exert them- 

 selves or r K Greater loads can be carried with less attendance of 

 drivers, an ^are less liable to accidents ; they are easier withdrawn 

 from any o , \j,^gjj ^^gj. ^^y obstruction, because only half the load 



