434 



SCIENCE OF AGRICULTURE. 



Part II. 



loads are evidently obtained. Rudge, in his survey of the above district, says, that in 

 many districts, waggons are the principal carriages employed in getting in the hay, and 

 are either full-bedded, or with three-quarter beds. The former have the advantage of a 

 greater length . of bed, but are not so convenient for turning ; the latter, though 

 diminished in size, have the convenience of locking the fore wheels, and turning in 

 almost as narrow a compass as a chaise, in consequence of the bed being hollowed out 

 on each side near the middle, to admit the exterior part or felloes of the fore wheels. 

 Both waggons are capable of carrying nearly the same weight ; though the former, being 

 deeper in the bed, is somewhat better adapted for the carnage of heavy articles, such as 

 bags of corn, &c. For the purpose of harvesting, or carrying hay and straw, their length 

 and width are increased by light ladders before and behind, and of similar contrivances 

 called " rathes," the whole length of the sides. The ladders are put on and taken off at 

 pleasure, in both kinds, but the side additions are generally fixed, exqept in the strait- 

 headed, which are in use on the western side of the Severn ; in these they are made 

 removable, so as to leave the bed quite naked. 



2768. The Berkshire waggon {Jig- 395.) is constructed on a simple and convenient 

 principle, not having the usual height or weight of other waggons, while it possesses 



3g^ sufficient strength, and is easy in 



^ =i==^^ the draught. An improvement 



suggested is, that of leaving the 

 space sufficiently deep in the 

 body or bed for the fore wheels 

 to lock round in the shortest 

 curve ; as, in the present manner 

 of its construction, a great deal 

 .of time is lost in turning at the ends of the swarths, in carrying hay, and on many other 

 occasions. In this way the inconvenience may be removed, without doing the smallest 

 injury to the symmetry or strength of the carriage. 



2769. The Norfolk cart and waggon is formed by adding a pair of fore wheels and shafts 

 to a common cart, connected by a pole from axle to axle. It is said to be light, cheap, 

 and convenient, and capable of carrying nearly as much hay or straw as the Berkshire 

 waggon. 



2770. Rood's patent waggon (Jig.396.)is a contrivance whereby the same carriage may, 

 in a few minutes, be changed by the driver into two complete tip-carts of the common 



dimensions, and applicable to all the uses of carts in general, or into one waggon, so 

 complete, that a narrow inspection is necessary to distinguish it from a common waggon. 

 The carts have a contrivance (a a) to render them more safe and easy to the horse in 

 going down a hill, and have movable side-ladders (6 b), which will be found of great use 

 in carrying corn, bark, &c. It may be constructed with perfect facility by the wheel- 

 wrights of any county ; its shape and particular dimensions can be suited to the wishes 

 of the owner, or to the local fashion of his neighbourhood. The result of considerable 

 experience and enquiries enables its inventor to state, that it may, in any county, be 

 completed . for about five pounds more than the cost of two common carts. It must, 

 however, be admitted to be somewhat more clumsy than a common waggon. 



2771. Gordon's one-horse waggon (Jig. 397.) is a very scientifically designed machine. 

 The wheels are cylindrical, and of the breadth of six inches. The draught is by what is 

 called a draught spring. {Jig. 398.) " By these draught springs, *' the inventor says, 

 ** a carriage will be put into motion by little more than half of the power that would 

 be necessary without them, and the benefit will continue during all the time that the 

 carriage may be continued in motion ; but the benefit will be lessened as the speed of 



