In Belgium we find, in the main, the post and tower mills of Holland and the Netherlands; while in Germany, as well, the similarity to the Dutch mills is the only or chief characteristic. In Denmark and Sweden and in Iceland are the usual mills of this section, excepting that their octagonal, typical squatty grist mill nearly always has the Turk’s head top instead of the irregular shape of Holland and Germany. And so pronounced is that that in Lawrence, Kan., where a mill was erected in 1858, with a Swedish top, inquiry develops that it was by Swedish emigrants. Iceland can claim probably the most northern mill ever erected, for in Reykiavik, a little isolated town of about 3000 inhabitants, we find an old mill, probably the first and only motor in the early days in Iceland.
There is greater picturesqueness—but, as usual, accompanied with less efficiency—in the southern part of Europe, as, for instance, in Spain. Here, aside from the jib flying mills of the
Mediterranean, we find primitive construction, crude devices and even the clay water bottles, or jars, bound to a cumbrous wheel, slowly turning over by wind power, for lifting water for irrigation, similar to devices seen on the banks of the Nile—although there operated by oxen. And in Spain we tread the country where the ever immortal Don Quixote, despite the adjurations of the faithful Sancho Panzo, charged at full speed a flock of windmills on the plains of Montiel.
The crude structures of Greece and Turkey, already mentioned, are so crude that often no device is provided for turning to the wind, but, on the contrary, four mills are sometimes built in a field, facing, respectively, north, south, east and west; so that whichever way the wind comes some power can be secured. It is, however, more likely that prevailing winds are so constant from one quarter there is but little use for a turning device, resulting in its omission.