CHAPTER XXXVII 

 MECHANICAL POWER FOR THE FARM 



586. Introductory. Throughout the preceding chapters dis- 

 cussions and illustrations of farm machinery have been pre- 

 sented in connection with the practices with which the various 

 appliances belong. There are many things of importance re- 

 lating to farm machinery and mechanical power which cannot 

 be included in a one-volume book. However, a few of the most 

 important features of mechanical power are presented in this 

 chapter. The productiveness of the farm, as well as that of the 

 man who works it, is being greatly increased by the use of arti- 

 ficial mechanical power where the farm is large enough to warrant 

 the purchase of motors for the use of such power. Mechanical 

 power can be produced by harnessing moving winds and falling 

 waters, or by utilizing the heat from fuel. 



587. The windmill. In localities where the wind is abundant 

 and but little power is needed, the windmill is the most desirable 

 and the cheapest form of motor for developing mechanical power. 

 The main use of a windmill is to pump water for household pur- 

 poses and for live stock. The power of the average windmill is 

 also sufficient for driving grindstones, small churns, and other 

 machines requiring little power. 



588. The water motor. Falling water to produce power can 

 be obtained by collecting water in dams or tanks, or by utilizing 

 the energy in natural waterfalls (Fig. 224). The amount of 

 power developed by a water motor depends upon the amount 



449 



