POWER MACHINERY ON THE FARM 351 



gas engines. There is, however, quite a general drift back 

 to the wind mill for pumping water. Wind furnishes by- 

 far the cheapest power available to most farms, and if stor- 

 age tanks of sufficient size are provided, so that enough 

 water may be stored to last for several days when there is 

 no wind, a wind mill is quite reliable. 



Water power is likewise a cheap form of power when 

 available. It furnishes splendid power for all belt work 

 that can be brought to it. Whenever it is possible to con- 

 nect up an electric generating plant with water power an 

 electric current becomes available very cheaply, and can 

 be carried by means of wires to any part of the farm. 



Gas engines are by far the most common source of 

 mechanical power on the farm, both for tractor and belt 

 work. Gas engines are now very generally used for pump- 

 ing water, grinding feed, running washing machines, milk 

 separators, electric light plants, threshing machines, and al- 

 so for plowing, disking, ditching, road-making, etc. The 

 invention and development of gas engines has done much 

 more for farming than for any other industry. Gas engines 

 are generally used also for trucks and automobiles. It is 

 only a short time since the automobile became practical. 

 Now nearly every farm has one for general use, and many 

 are beginning to use auto trucks for marketing products 

 and hauUng supplies. 



Electricity is gradually coming into use on farms. It is 

 by no means general as yet, but has been proven entirely 

 satisfactory and dependable. For lights there is nothing 

 equal to electricity. It is also the cleanest, quietest and 

 most convenient power for such light work about the farm 

 and home, as turning the separator, running the washing 

 machine and wringer, and running the sewing machine, 

 heating the flatiron, etc. Until recently farmers could not 

 have electricity unless they lived near a power line or could 

 get the current from a near-by town. Now, however, small 

 electric generating plants are made that are practical for 

 an individual farm plant. These plants consist of a small 

 gas engine which runs a dynamo and generates an electric 

 current. This current may be used as it is generated or 

 stored in batteries for light or power as needed. 



