THE WATER MACHINERY OR MILLS. 511 



In other cases, the water was lifted with a simple paddle-wheel 

 working in a common trough. It is stated that one mill will 

 free six hundred acres from water ; but it is obvious that this 

 must depend upon various circumstances, such as the quantity 

 of water to be removed, and the kind of machinery employed. 

 The most constant vigilance is required to take advantage of all 

 the wind that blows. To give some idea of the expense of these 

 operations, a mill is said to cost from 8000 to 14,000 dollars, or 

 from 1600 to 2800 sterling, and its operation costs 300 dollars 

 or 60 sterling a year. Many of the persons who have the care 

 of these mills live in them with their families. 



These are all windmills. Steam-engines would probably be 

 as little expensive, and more under command. Most of these 

 mills were erected before the use of steam in this way was 

 known ; but a reason given for preferring wind to steam is, that, 

 as Holland has no coal, in the event of war she might be with 

 out fuel, and consequently unable to work steam-engines, the 

 disastrous consequences of which it is not necessary to dwell 

 upon. 



Such are the mighty works, as well indeed they may be called 

 so, which arrest the admiration of the visitor to this reclaimed 

 and fertile region, so marked by the most extraordinary enter 

 prise. They inspire a profound sentiment of the hardihood and 

 enterprise, the courage and indefatigable perseverance, of the 

 people who undertook, achieved, and have maintained them. 



CXXXIV. FLEMISH AGRICULTURE. 



The agriculture of Flanders is chiefly arable. To give a 

 detailed account of its various crops and their culture, would bo 

 to compose a large work ; and I shall therefore limit myself to 

 noticing those peculiarities in their practice by which their culti 

 vation is distinguished, with such remarks upon particular crops 

 as seem interesting and useful. Flanders itself is to some extent 

 a redeemed country ; and the Flemish have also their polders 

 and embankments, canals and dikes. 



