Page:Remarks on the Present System of Road Making (1823).djvu/174

 conical shape, and the middle tire projecting above the others, with rough nails.

Do you consider, that if those wheels were made of a cylindrical or flat shape, it would be good policy to grant them any exemption from tolls?—They would be less injurious for being cylindrical; but whenever the road was at all out of the level, and the weight came on one edge of the wheel, the road would be destroyed there.

Upon the whole, is it your opinion that there are any circumstances which justify an exemption from toll, on account of the breadth of the wheels?—I do not see any at all, for I think they are injurious in every sense, on account of the great weights they carry.

Do you consider that injury is done to the roads, in consequence of the use of single shafts in waggons?—Very great.

In what way?—In consequence of single shafts, the horses follow in one track, in the centre of the carriage; and the wheels also follow each other in other tracks, and cut ruts: if there were double shafts, they would naturally avoid former wheel-tracks, which would be less injurious to the road.

Do you consider it therefore desirable to give encouragement to double shafts?—I do.

Do you consider the watering of that road in any way injurious?—I consider that watering that road in summer, is very injurious.

In what respect?—The water separates the stones, owing to the softening of the loam, and makes the road spongy and loose.

At what periods do you consider it injurious to water the road for laying the dust?—Before May and after August.

Have you not a practice of sometimes watering in winter, when there is no dust?—After the most careful sifting of the