330 
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
Finally, there is another matter, which has been but little observed and 
which could only have been discovered by the eye of an expert; it is that 
an improvement has been introduced in the method of action of the grease 
used for lubricating the wheels, and in the manner of attaching the latter 
to the carriage; by these means, with equal weights the pull and conse¬ 
quently the fatigue of the horses is diminished. 
In this manner the following result has been attained :—1st, That the 
carriage on which the gun rides with its 7 0 rounds of ammunition weighs 
a little more than 1000 kilogrammes (19*7 cwfc.); if loaded with only 
30 rounds it will weigh less than 900 kilogrammes (17*7 cwt.). 2nd, The 
ammunition wagon with 180 rounds weighs 1100 kilogrammes (21*7 cwts.), 
and with 90 rounds it weighs under 900 kilogrammes (17*7 cwt.). In the 
first case, when the wagon contains a large number of rounds, it is intended 
to be drawn by four horses; in the second case, by only two. Thus there 
may be two systems of draught, either of four or two horses. In an article 
in the “Exercito” newspaper, re-published in “I/Opinione” and other 
journals, the reasons for preferring a 4-horse draught have been given; it is 
therefore unnecessary to go over the ground again. The statements made 
in that article are most true: it should, however, be added, that the 
difference between the 2 and the 4-horse draught lies solely in the fact that 
in the former case the ammunition boxes are not quite fall of ammunition, 
while in the latter the boxes are as full as they can hold. This being 
stated, it is evident that a change from one system of draught to the other 
is one of extreme simplicity, as there is nothing more to be done than to 
put in an extra pair of horses and to fill up the boxes to pass from a 2-horse 
to a 4-horse draught. 
This being so, we may observe that, in a country like ours, wherein it 
may be said that draught horses for the artillery are not to be had, the 
question of passing from the peace to a war footing is one of serious difficulty, 
and the solution of this difficulty has long occupied the attention of govern¬ 
ment, for it requires a considerable time to purchase the ]2,000 to 15,000 
draught horses necessary to put the artillery on a war footing. Now, if the 
country were taken unawares, it could only buy a portion of the horses 
required, and hence at the opening of a campaign, it could not appear in its 
full force; this, in modern warfare is a matter of vital importance, for the 
wars of the present day are of very short duration; it may be said that they 
consist of one, or a very few battles, at which it is desirable to deploy the 
whole force of the country; as, if victory is the result, we are soon masters 
of the situation; if defeat, we are at once at the mercy of the enemy. 
Now, there is no difficulty in seeing at the first glance the immense 
advantages of an artillery which, with equal power, requires fewer horses; 
but more than that, if the full number of horses cannot be had, we may 
meet the first blow with artillery drawn by two horses, without keeping up 
a large reserve, and without that complete provision of ammunition deemed 
necessary for a campaign. Thus, the 2-horse draught should not be looked 
upon as the service footing of the artillery; it may be considered to be a 
transition formation which would render it impossible for an enemy to 
surprise the country unarmed, and this attribute is one of the great 
advantages of the new artillery. , 
