76 On the Reduction of Horse Labour hy single Carts. 



described, I fitted to one of the carts, for the purpose of carrying 

 a large and low load of loose straw, what in the Berkshire v^aggon 

 are called ladders," which temporarily fixed before and behind, 

 lengthened the load not quite a yard each way. On this cart 



1 have found my people sending home from a meadow 3 miles 

 distant, over a turf road and a short hill rising 1 in 18, a load of hay 

 measuring 36 cubic yards ; and though I do not encourage heavy 

 loading, I have not unfrequently seen on the other carts under the 

 same circumstances, a load of hay 5 yds. long x 3 yds. wide x 



2 yds. high = 30 cubic yards, and about a ton weight, drawn by 

 the horse without difficulty. 



Our barn-doors form an opening 12 ft. x 12 ft., and sometimes 

 the top and sides are brushed by the loads of loose barley, which 

 placed on a waggon would be too high to enter. 



3. Though I have satisfactorily accomplished low-loading, and 

 the consequent advantage of increased despatch from the quick- 

 ness with which a man can pitch at such a height, yet the low 

 carriage is of course a disadvantage at the side of a rick, Sec. ; 

 nevertheless I have not found this a hindrance to the work, for 

 the labourers at that point being stationary, can perform their 

 portion quicker than those in the field, a part of whose time must 

 necessarily be occupied in moving along rows of shocks, &c. 



4. With a view to compactness and steadiness of load, I origin- 

 ally directed my attention to the outrigger, or copse," supported 

 over the horse by an iron upright from the shafts, together with 

 a corresponding projection from the floor of the cart behind, 

 adapted to the dung-cart in many midland counties, as an im- 

 provement on the Cumberland shelving " or rail, for carrying 

 hay, &c. ; but decided ultimately in favour of my present plan 

 (though less economical) on account of its easy and firm loading, 

 together with other supposed advantages. Nor have I been dis- 

 appointed in its non-liability to upset ; for though sheaves may 

 sometimes slip off in dry weather, I do not recollect one instance 

 of an overturn. It has sometimes been suggested that some 

 railing in front, next the horse, would better keep the load in 

 its place, but I believe it would only be an incumbrance, and add 

 to the weight, as we have never discovered any necessity for it. 

 The hind-quarters of the horse form a sufficient guide to load by, 

 and when he moves on the corn does not press on them. 



5. Pressure on the horse. I think it will be seen by a glance 

 at the figures below that the objection which is urged against 

 two-wheel carriages in harvest, on account of their load bearing 

 injuriously on the horse's back in descending a hill, and tending 

 to weigh him off his legs in going up, is greatly obviated in a low- 

 built carriage of considerable length. 



It may be shown, first, that upon an inclined plane the 



