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X. — On the Reduction of Horse Labour by single Carls, de- 

 tailing some years' experience of their economy. Bj Henry 

 J. Hannam^ Esq. 



To Philip Pusey, Esq. M.P. 



Sir, 



I HAVE much pleasure in complying with your request for an 

 account of my experience in the use of single-horse carts, because 

 the Society, keeping in view the important subject of economy in 

 horse-labour, appears desirous of having this system tested, as 

 one of its material branches ; and because I think I am able to 

 show that by this practice something like one-half of the number 

 of horses employed in the labour of carting may be saved, and 

 consequently that there can be shown so much saving of indivi- 

 dual capital, so much of national produce, and of course a pro- 

 portionate ability to give additional employment to the agricul- 

 tural labourer. 



The question is not, as is frequently supposed, whether one 

 horse single can draw more in proportion than any number 

 harnessed together — which, I believe, is generally admitted — it 

 is not, altogether, Avhich will move the greatest weight ; but the 

 question is, which will transport in the most ready and economical 

 manner the materials required to be passed between the field and 

 the homestead, or between one field and another. For in the 

 carrying operations of a farm, with the exception of drawing corn 

 to market, a certain bulk has to be transferred from one point to 

 another, not by one effort, but by a continuous succession of 

 them. Practically speaking, the loading and unloading have to 

 be kept in constant activity by a chain of carriages passing be- 

 tween them. What, then, is the best and most economical inter- 

 mediate conveyance is not an easy matter for consideration. The 

 best implement and best moving power have to be ascertained ; 

 and, among known methods, the selection ranges widely between 

 the barrow or pack-saddle and the eight-horse waggon. Our 

 present consideration, however, is whether one-horse carts are 

 more ready and economical for the purpose than the methods now 

 generally in use. And to assist in determining the matter I will 

 give you as briefly as possible an account of my experience. 



I. By details of my practice. 



II. By a statement of the saving apparently effected. 



1. Details. — I will first give my motives for adopting the 

 system, and then some account of the principles with which I set 

 about it, before I proceed to practical details. 



The counties of Cumberland and Westmorland have univer- 

 sally and immemorially used the one-horse cart. They have no 



