On the Reduction of Horse Labour by single Carts. 75 



is properly attached. The 8 traverse oak shoots " (or shuts) 

 connecting these two principal pieces and supporting the floor, 

 were also on the same principle of resistance cut 3in. x Ij. and 

 placed edgeways ; the fore and hind ''shutlocks " are 3 in. deep 

 X 2J wide, and spring 3^ in. in the width of the rail to meet the 

 pannel " (or concave part of the rail) which is rested upon 

 them. This outer rail thus resting at each extremity on the 

 shutlocks is supported along the middle by three iron stays, viz., a 

 tall one 1| in. x Ji"-^ bent over the wheel, edgeways to the resist- 

 ance, and on which the hoop (a 1 J -inch square elm stick) is 

 turned ; and 2 shorter, on which the other end of the pannel (cut 

 2 J in. wide x 2 in. deep, but much shaved underneath), and both 

 ends of the hoop, are pinned down. Besides these 3 iron stays, 

 which attach the rail to the bed, there are 10 wooden pins, at the 

 requisite distances apart, for the same object; and on which are 

 fitted thin elm boards to prevent grain from falling through. 

 The longer pins over the wheel are bent to the same form as the 

 centre iron stay. The space between the wheels (which are 4 ft. 



6 in. high) and the rail should not be less than 5 in. The distance 

 of the wheels apart where they rest on the ground was accommo- 

 dated to the cart-ruts of the district ; and of course the space on 

 the axletree regulates the width between the two " beds." The 

 axletree is of iron, and is the same as that used in stage-coaches, 

 and lightly cased with wood. The horse draws by long chain 

 plough-traces attached to a "whipper," the centre of which 

 works on a pin fixed underneath, and behind the fore shutlock, 

 and in a direct line from the middle of the axletree to the point 

 of draught on the shoulder. Three sticks are used for supporting 

 the load when the horse is out — two on the shafts, which are 

 set crossing each other — and one behind. Four pieces of stone 

 or brick are useful in blocking the wheels on a barn-floor, &c., 

 when the horse is taken out. 



The weight of the cart with narrow wheels is about 6^ cwt. 

 The average size I made was about 12 ft. long x 6 ft. 6 in. wide. 

 The length of the cart from which the sketch is taken, is from 

 shutlock to shutlock exteriorly 12 ft. 2 in., and the width of the 

 rails at the fore shutlock, 6 ft. 5 in. ; at the hind shutlock, 6 ft. 



7 in. ; and at the top of the hoops, 6 ft. 10 in. The shafts are 

 bolted on to the inside of the beds, and projecting 6 ft. 8 in., 

 their points approach to 22 in., a closeness which is requisite in 

 drawing with long traces. 



I have troubled you with all this detail, not with the hope of 

 interesting general readers, but for the benefit of those desirous 

 to know something of the framing of this cart as shown in the 

 sketch, which is on a scale of ^ of an inch to a foot. 



2. Capaciousness. — Besides the length and breadth that I have 



