TANDEM-DRIVING. 151 



goes along, but he can do it much more correctly when on the 

 move than when standing still. Another great advantage is 

 the power of shifting the weight going up and down hill, so 

 that whether the cart is travelling on the flat or not the driver 

 can always prevent any weight falling on the shaft-horse. I 

 have always found it very necessary to have a cross-spring at 

 the back of the cart, and also a draw-bar instead of fixed hooks 

 for the traces ; the latter prevents sore shoulders, as the bar 

 moves with the action of the horse. There should be plenty of 

 space allowed between the shafts, so that the horse may move 

 freely. For a cart to convey four people the shafts should be 

 fairly straight, and I do not think six feet three inches would be 

 found too long. 



A stick-basket and horn are indispensable accompani- 

 ments, the former on the right side and the latter on the left, at 

 the back of the cart. The horn should be an exact model of 

 the coach-horn, only a little shorter, as the full-sized ones are 

 somewhat too long and would be in the way. Two good lamps 

 are extremely necessary, and I think a leader lamp on the dash- 

 board is a great addition, also a clock on one side of it and. a 

 rein-holder on the other. A neat little leather box along the 

 top of the dash-board would complete these trifles, which add 

 much to one's comfort and to the perfecting of the tandem cart. 

 This should contain a pick and hammer, a leather-punch, a 

 good pocket-knife, and, above all things, matches ; for nothing 

 is more annoying in a long drive than to be overtaken by dark- 

 ness, with no means of lighting the lamps, having, therefore, to 

 slowly grope one's way at imminent danger of being run into or 

 colliding against another vehicle ; not to mention the dangers 

 of blind ditches on either side of the road, or other obstacles 

 and impediments equally annoying. 



Having procured a very complete cart, I would urge the 

 driver to take even more care and spend even more time on the 

 selection and choice of ponies or horses, whichever it may be. 

 This is a most important matter. If the choice falls on ponies 

 about fourteen hands, perfection is more difficult to find in them 



