GENERATING MECHANICAL POWER 83 



When the machine stops an opposite weight rests 

 against the flywheel until it starts in motion again, so 

 the apron cannot be moved until the brake is released. 

 This is necessary to get the animal on or off of the plat- 

 form while it is at rest to avoid accidents. The usual 

 incline is a rise of two feet in eight when power is 

 wanted. This pitch compels the bull to lift one-quarter 

 of his own weight and it may be too severe for a heavy 

 animal. The endless apron is an endless hill climb to 

 the bull. Treadmills are not economical of power be- 

 cause there are so many bearings to generate friction. 



WINDMILLS 



Wind power is the cheapest power we have. A wind- 

 mill properly proportioned to its work is a great help, 

 especially when it is attached to a good pump for the 

 purpose of lifting water into an elevated tank from 

 which it is piped under pressure for domestic purposes 

 and for watering live-stock. 



You can have considerable patience with a windmill 

 if you only depend upon it for pumping water, pro- 

 vided you have a tank that will hold a week's supply to 

 be drawn during a dry, hot time when every animal on 

 the farm demands a double allowance of water. That 

 is the time when a farmer hates to attach himself to 

 the pump handle for the purpose of working up a 

 hickory breeze. That also is the time when the wind 

 neglects a fellow. 



A good windmill is useful up to about one-third of its 

 rated capacity, which is the strongest argument for 

 buying a mill larger than at first seems necessary. Some 

 men have suffered at some time in their lives with the 

 delusion that they could tinker with a poorly con- 

 structed windmill and make it earn its oil. They have 



