366 



IRRIGATION FARMING. 



Battle-Ax Windmills.— In its simpler form this 

 is a home-made contrivance which consists of a tower 

 for the support of a horizontal axis and crank, to 

 which arms are attached bearing fanlike blades at the 

 extremities, which have a real or fancied resemblance 



f 



FIG. 78 — BATTLE-AX WINDMILL. 



to a battle-ax, and which is shown in Fig. 78. 

 When viewed from the side an optical illusion is pro- 

 duced, and these revolving blades seem to be slashing 

 wildly at space in opposite diredlions. However, they 

 fight their way through, and are vidtorious mills, 

 worthy of praise. Like the Jumbo wind rustler, the 

 Battle- Ax mill has its axis set in the dire(5lion of the 

 prevailing wind — that is, north and south. The axis 

 may be made of wood, rounded to fit in wooden bear- 



